2002 Mercedes-Benz Vito — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,631 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz Vito, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension. Its pass rate of 66.7% was below the average for vans of a similar age (70.1%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.4% | 778 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.4% | 667 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.3% | 627 |
| 4 | Brakes | 17.2% | 626 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.6% | 311 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.3% | 192 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 691 |
| 2 | Joints | 365 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 361 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 353 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 347 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 268 |
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 | 42.0% | 1,526 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 30.0% | 1,091 |
| 3 | Suspension | 28.6% | 1,038 |
| 4 | Tyres | 25.0% | 907 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.1% | 692 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 565 |
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 | 76 | 32.9% |
| 30-60k | 123 | 23.6% |
| 60-90k | 457 | 32.8% |
| 90-120k | 718 | 30.8% |
| 120-150k | 830 | 34.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,201 | 34.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,516 | 33.5% |
| Petrol | 115 | 29.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,117 | 34.1% |
| 2022 | 942 | 34.8% |
| 2023 | 677 | 32.0% |
| 2024 | 503 | 31.0% |
| 2025 | 392 | 32.6% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Vito
Before buying a 2002 Mercedes-Benz Vito, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 21.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (21.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (18.4% 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 (17.3% 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 Vitos pass their MOT?
66.7% of the 3,631 2002 Mercedes-Benz Vito MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz Vito?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.4% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (18.4%).
Does the 2002 Vito get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 32.9% in the 0-30k band to 34.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,631 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.