2002 Maserati Spyder — MOT failures & pass rate
442 MOT tests on the 2002 Maserati Spyder are in this dataset, and 83.3% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.4% of the time, so this is 10.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and steering.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (8.6%) and lighting & signalling (7.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rbt (sp) and steering rack — headlamp aim alone was recorded 29 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 13.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 20.9% once past 60-90k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 17.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 8.6% | 38 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 7.5% | 33 |
| 3 | Steering | 3.9% | 17 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.9% | 13 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.7% | 12 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.3% | 10 |
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 | 29 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 24 |
| 3 | Steering rack | 19 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 10 |
| 5 | Wipers | 10 |
| 6 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 9 |
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 | 17.6% | 78 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.0% | 62 |
| 3 | Tyres | 11.1% | 49 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 6.6% | 29 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.4% | 24 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.6% | 16 |
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 | 84 | 13.1% |
| 30-60k | 213 | 15.5% |
| 60-90k | 139 | 20.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 86 | 9.3% |
| 2022 | 95 | 14.7% |
| 2023 | 95 | 20.0% |
| 2024 | 83 | 20.5% |
| 2025 | 83 | 19.3% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Spyder
On a 2002 Spyder, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (8.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (7.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (3.9% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
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 Maserati Spyders pass their MOT?
83.3% of the 442 2002 Maserati Spyder MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Maserati Spyder?
Brakes, recorded in 8.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (7.5%).
Does the 2002 Spyder get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.1% in the 0-30k band to 20.9% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 442 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.