2002 Mazda Eunos — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Mazda Eunos passed 77.1% of its 541 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (27.5% fail rate), the 2002 Eunos comes out 4.5pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 12.9% of all tests — 3.1 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, prescribed areas and ball joint dust cover — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 33 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.4% in the 60-90k band and 25.5% in the 150k+ band, a 11.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 26.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.1% in 2021 to 21.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.9% | 70 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.8% | 53 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.9% | 48 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.3% | 34 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.4% | 24 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.3% | 23 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 33 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 31 |
| 3 | Ball joint dust cover | 30 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 26 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 26 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 25 |
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 | 26.1% | 141 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 24.6% | 133 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.8% | 118 |
| 4 | Tyres | 12.0% | 65 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.2% | 50 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 6.8% | 37 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 90 | 14.4% |
| 90-120k | 165 | 20.0% |
| 120-150k | 126 | 31.8% |
| 150k+ | 141 | 25.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 143 | 23.1% |
| 2022 | 124 | 23.4% |
| 2023 | 119 | 24.4% |
| 2024 | 74 | 21.6% |
| 2025 | 81 | 21.0% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Eunos
On a 2002 Eunos, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.8% 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.
- Suspension (8.9% 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 Eunoss pass their MOT?
77.1% of the 541 2002 Mazda Eunos MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mazda Eunos?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.9% of tests, followed by brakes (9.8%).
Does the 2002 Eunos get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.4% in the 60-90k band to 25.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 541 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.