2002 Mercedes-Benz Vaneo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 275 MOT tests, the 2002 Mercedes-Benz Vaneo recorded a 69.1% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.5% fail rate), the 2002 Vaneo comes out 3.4pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 22.9% of all tests — 9.1 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 29 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2002 Vaneo fails 25.0% of the time in the 0-30k band and 26.5% at 90-120k, a spread of only 1.5 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 46.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 35.7% in 2021 to 32.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.9% | 63 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.8% | 38 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.3% | 31 |
| 4 | Visibility | 10.9% | 30 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.6% | 21 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 20 |
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 | Headlamp | 22 |
| 3 | Wipers | 21 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 21 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 18 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 18 |
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 | 46.9% | 129 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.9% | 74 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 23.6% | 65 |
| 4 | Tyres | 18.9% | 52 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.8% | 49 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.1% | 47 |
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 | 44 | 25.0% |
| 60-90k | 45 | 31.1% |
| 90-120k | 49 | 26.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 193 | 25.9% |
| Diesel | 82 | 42.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 84 | 35.7% |
| 2022 | 77 | 35.1% |
| 2023 | 48 | 20.8% |
| 2024 | 35 | 22.9% |
| 2025 | 31 | 32.3% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Vaneo
On a 2002 Vaneo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 22.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (22.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.8% 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 (11.3% 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 Vaneos pass their MOT?
69.1% of the 275 2002 Mercedes-Benz Vaneo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz Vaneo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.9% of tests, followed by brakes (13.8%).
Does the 2002 Vaneo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.0% in the 0-30k band to 26.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 275 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.