2002 Mazda B Series — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,730 MOT tests, the 2002 Mazda B Series recorded a 73.1% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.5%, so the 2002 B Series sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.3% of all tests — 3.5 points clear of body, structure & corrosion, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are chassis condition, rigid brake pipes and rear fog lamp — chassis condition alone was recorded 141 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 12.5% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 28.0% once past 150k — 2.2× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 36.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 26.9% in 2021 to 24.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 299 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.8% | 238 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.0% | 173 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.7% | 167 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.5% | 113 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.9% | 68 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chassis condition | 141 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 135 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 134 |
| 4 | Joints | 126 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 102 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 87 |
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 | 36.7% | 635 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.1% | 590 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 31.3% | 542 |
| 4 | Tyres | 21.9% | 379 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.1% | 278 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.0% | 191 |
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 | 88 | 12.5% |
| 60-90k | 297 | 26.9% |
| 90-120k | 442 | 28.1% |
| 120-150k | 436 | 27.5% |
| 150k+ | 447 | 28.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 443 | 26.9% |
| 2022 | 394 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 348 | 27.0% |
| 2024 | 298 | 28.9% |
| 2025 | 247 | 24.7% |
What to check before buying a 2002 B Series
On a 2002 B Series, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.8% 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 (10.0% 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 Mazda B Seriess pass their MOT?
73.1% of the 1,730 2002 Mazda B Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mazda B Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.3% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (13.8%).
Does the 2002 B Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.5% in the 30-60k band to 28.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,730 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.