2002 Mercedes-Benz Motorhome — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Mercedes-Benz Motorhome passed 82.2% of its 253 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 27.4% of the time, so this is 9.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.6% of tests against 8.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, service brake performance and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 23 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.3% in the 30-60k band and 21.1% in the 150k+ band, a 5.8-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 34.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 37 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.7% | 22 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.7% | 12 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.2% | 8 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.8% | 7 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.0% | 5 |
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 | 23 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 11 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 11 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 10 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 8 |
| 6 | Outline marker lamp | 7 |
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 | 34.0% | 86 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.3% | 64 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 19.0% | 48 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.1% | 18 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.7% | 17 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.9% | 15 |
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 | 59 | 15.3% |
| 60-90k | 101 | 20.8% |
| 150k+ | 38 | 21.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 45 | 17.8% |
| 2022 | 56 | 19.6% |
| 2023 | 59 | 17.0% |
| 2024 | 41 | 14.6% |
| 2025 | 52 | 19.2% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Motorhome
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.7% 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 (4.7% 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 Mercedes-Benz Motorhomes pass their MOT?
82.2% of the 253 2002 Mercedes-Benz Motorhome MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz Motorhome?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.6% of tests, followed by brakes (8.7%).
Does the 2002 Motorhome get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.3% in the 30-60k band to 21.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 253 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.