2002 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — MOT failures & pass rate
5,563 MOT tests on the 2002 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter are in this dataset, and 72.9% of them passed. That is 2.8 percentage points better than vans of a similar age, which fail at 29.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.9% of all tests — 4.6 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 491 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 31.3% versus 19.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 41.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.9% | 1,106 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.3% | 850 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.8% | 548 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 444 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.3% | 348 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.8% | 154 |
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 | 491 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 442 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 363 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 356 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 345 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 332 |
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 | 41.0% | 2,283 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.9% | 1,832 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 19.7% | 1,093 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.8% | 988 |
| 5 | Tyres | 15.3% | 849 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.8% | 823 |
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 | 115 | 19.1% |
| 30-60k | 655 | 18.6% |
| 60-90k | 942 | 25.1% |
| 90-120k | 767 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 848 | 27.1% |
| 150k+ | 2,221 | 31.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,241 | 27.6% |
| 2022 | 1,190 | 25.7% |
| 2023 | 1,119 | 27.7% |
| 2024 | 1,055 | 27.7% |
| 2025 | 958 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Sprinter
On a 2002 Sprinter, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.3% 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 (9.8% 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 Sprinters pass their MOT?
72.9% of the 5,563 2002 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.9% of tests, followed by brakes (15.3%).
Does the 2002 Sprinter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.1% in the 0-30k band to 31.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,563 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.