2002 Renault Laguna — MOT failures & pass rate
1,622 MOT tests on the 2002 Renault Laguna are in this dataset, and 71.8% of them passed. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 28.1%, so the 2002 Laguna sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.2%) and suspension (13.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, track rod end and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 127 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.6% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 33.5% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 40.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 231 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.6% | 220 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.0% | 195 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.1% | 83 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 82 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.9% | 80 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 127 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 81 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 80 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 76 |
| 5 | Wipers | 70 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 63 |
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 | 40.1% | 651 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.3% | 573 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.3% | 410 |
| 4 | Other defects | 23.6% | 383 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 297 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.4% | 201 |
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 | 209 | 20.6% |
| 60-90k | 486 | 28.2% |
| 90-120k | 416 | 28.6% |
| 120-150k | 295 | 31.2% |
| 150k+ | 191 | 33.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,240 | 28.4% |
| Diesel | 382 | 27.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 546 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 417 | 29.0% |
| 2023 | 288 | 28.1% |
| 2024 | 205 | 26.8% |
| 2025 | 166 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Laguna
On a 2002 Laguna, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.6% 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 (12.0% 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.
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 Renault Lagunas pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 1,622 2002 Renault Laguna MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Renault Laguna?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.2% of tests, followed by suspension (13.6%).
Does the 2002 Laguna get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.6% in the 30-60k band to 33.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,622 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.