2002 Fiat Stilo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 591 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Fiat Stilo, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 67.3% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.6% in the 150k+ group versus 25.5% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.6% | 110 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 110 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.0% | 71 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 10.3% | 61 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.5% | 56 |
| 6 | Visibility | 9.5% | 56 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 58 |
| 2 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 46 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 46 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 40 |
| 5 | Wipers | 35 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 33 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 42.3% | 250 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.8% | 200 |
| 3 | Tyres | 33.8% | 200 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.9% | 159 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.3% | 108 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 107 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 98 | 25.5% |
| 60-90k | 230 | 34.4% |
| 90-120k | 139 | 35.3% |
| 120-150k | 36 | 33.3% |
| 150k+ | 52 | 34.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 518 | 32.4% |
| Diesel | 73 | 34.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 234 | 34.6% |
| 2022 | 148 | 31.8% |
| 2023 | 111 | 32.4% |
| 2024 | 60 | 28.3% |
| 2025 | 38 | 31.6% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Stilo
Before buying a 2002 Fiat Stilo, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 18.6% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (18.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (18.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2002 Fiat Stilos pass their MOT?
67.3% of the 591 2002 Fiat Stilo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Fiat Stilo?
Suspension, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (18.6%).
Does the 2002 Stilo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.5% in the 30-60k band to 34.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 591 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.