2002 Honda HR-V — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Honda HR-V passed 75.4% of its 3,150 recorded MOT tests. That is 3.6 percentage points better than small SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 28.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.8% of all tests — 5.6 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 310 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 33.3% versus 17.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 530 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.2% | 354 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.8% | 246 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 214 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.5% | 205 |
| 6 | Brakes | 5.5% | 174 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 310 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 263 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 247 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 194 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 174 |
| 6 | Wipers | 156 |
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 | 33.4% | 1,051 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.8% | 877 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.6% | 839 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 597 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.2% | 542 |
| 6 | Other defects | 17.1% | 538 |
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 | 311 | 17.4% |
| 60-90k | 801 | 20.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,067 | 26.2% |
| 120-150k | 650 | 26.9% |
| 150k+ | 297 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 878 | 24.1% |
| 2022 | 748 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 599 | 22.4% |
| 2024 | 507 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 418 | 24.4% |
What to check before buying a 2002 HR-V
On a 2002 HR-V, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.2% 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.
- Visibility (7.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 Honda HR-Vs pass their MOT?
75.4% of the 3,150 2002 Honda HR-V MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Honda HR-V?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.8% of tests, followed by suspension (11.2%).
Does the 2002 HR-V get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.4% in the 30-60k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,150 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.