2002 Hyundai Getz — MOT failures & pass rate
1,053 MOT tests on the 2002 Hyundai Getz are in this dataset, and 69.0% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 29.4% of the time, so this is 1.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.8% of tests against 13.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are joints, headlamp aim and rigid brake pipes — joints alone was recorded 101 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.9% in the 0-30k band and 42.5% in the 120-150k band, a 30.6-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 42.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 31.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 34.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 188 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.1% | 138 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.6% | 133 |
| 4 | Visibility | 9.4% | 99 |
| 5 | Brakes | 9.2% | 97 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.7% | 70 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 101 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 94 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 92 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 74 |
| 5 | Wipers | 70 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 63 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 42.1% | 443 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.8% | 314 |
| 3 | Suspension | 27.1% | 285 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.0% | 242 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 21.6% | 228 |
| 6 | Other defects | 19.7% | 207 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 42 | 11.9% |
| 30-60k | 315 | 27.3% |
| 60-90k | 373 | 34.3% |
| 90-120k | 263 | 31.2% |
| 120-150k | 40 | 42.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 329 | 31.9% |
| 2022 | 257 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 193 | 26.9% |
| 2024 | 158 | 32.3% |
| 2025 | 116 | 34.5% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Getz
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (12.6% 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.
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 Hyundai Getzs pass their MOT?
69.0% of the 1,053 2002 Hyundai Getz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Hyundai Getz?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.8% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (13.1%).
Does the 2002 Getz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.9% in the 0-30k band to 42.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,053 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.