2002 Renault Master — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Renault Master passed 67.7% of its 2,710 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.4 percentage points worse than vans of a similar age, which fail at 29.9%. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Brakes dominates the failure mix at 20.4% of all tests — 3.0 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), service brake performance and component mounting prescribed areas — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 307 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2002 Master fails 33.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 34.4% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 40.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 20.4% | 554 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 472 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.2% | 331 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 237 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.8% | 212 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.8% | 185 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 307 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 257 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 237 |
| 4 | Steering rack | 185 |
| 5 | Wipers | 158 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 147 |
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% | 1,087 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.9% | 810 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.9% | 511 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 499 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.7% | 479 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.5% | 421 |
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 | 54 | 33.3% |
| 30-60k | 311 | 24.1% |
| 60-90k | 491 | 31.2% |
| 90-120k | 543 | 33.1% |
| 120-150k | 586 | 34.1% |
| 150k+ | 719 | 34.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 620 | 32.3% |
| 2022 | 576 | 31.9% |
| 2023 | 546 | 32.6% |
| 2024 | 507 | 32.5% |
| 2025 | 461 | 32.3% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Master
On a 2002 Master, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (20.4% 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 (17.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.2% 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 Renault Masters pass their MOT?
67.7% of the 2,710 2002 Renault Master MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Renault Master?
Brakes, recorded in 20.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.4%).
Does the 2002 Master get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 33.3% in the 0-30k band to 34.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,710 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.