2002 Nissan Vanette — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 432 MOT tests, the 2002 Nissan Vanette recorded a 62.3% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), the 2002 Vanette comes out 10.2pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (23.6%) and brakes (21.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, rigid brake pipes and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 199 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 39.4% versus 34.0%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 45.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 36.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 42.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 23.6% | 102 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.1% | 91 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 78 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.2% | 57 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.7% | 29 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.9% | 21 |
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 | 199 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 56 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 54 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 42 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 40 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 31 |
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 | 45.4% | 196 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.6% | 132 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 24.1% | 104 |
| 4 | Other defects | 24.1% | 104 |
| 5 | Tyres | 19.4% | 84 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 18.5% | 80 |
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 | 53 | 34.0% |
| 60-90k | 139 | 36.7% |
| 90-120k | 136 | 35.3% |
| 120-150k | 60 | 48.3% |
| 150k+ | 33 | 39.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 155 | 36.8% |
| 2022 | 105 | 34.3% |
| 2023 | 85 | 42.4% |
| 2024 | 49 | 36.7% |
| 2025 | 38 | 42.1% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Vanette
On a 2002 Vanette, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 23.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (23.6% 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.
- Brakes (21.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (18.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 Nissan Vanettes pass their MOT?
62.3% of the 432 2002 Nissan Vanette MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 37.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Nissan Vanette?
Suspension, recorded in 23.6% of tests, followed by brakes (21.1%).
Does the 2002 Vanette get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 34.0% in the 30-60k band to 39.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 432 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.