2002 SEAT Arosa — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,053 MOT tests, the 2002 SEAT Arosa recorded a 71.5% pass rate. That is 1.0 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.5%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.2% of all tests — 5.5 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and joints — headlamp aim alone was recorded 249 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.6% in the 0-30k band and 30.3% in the 150k+ band, a 17.7-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 39.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 526 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.8% | 359 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 311 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.3% | 285 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.0% | 245 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.3% | 191 |
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 | 249 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 166 |
| 3 | Joints | 159 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 156 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 150 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 137 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 39.8% | 1,215 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.1% | 948 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.4% | 866 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.0% | 671 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 20.3% | 621 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.2% | 495 |
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 | 151 | 12.6% |
| 30-60k | 791 | 26.2% |
| 60-90k | 932 | 28.4% |
| 90-120k | 753 | 31.2% |
| 120-150k | 291 | 34.7% |
| 150k+ | 132 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,696 | 28.3% |
| Diesel | 357 | 29.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 899 | 29.5% |
| 2022 | 700 | 27.4% |
| 2023 | 600 | 28.8% |
| 2024 | 469 | 26.2% |
| 2025 | 385 | 30.4% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Arosa
On a 2002 Arosa, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.8% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.2% 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+.
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 SEAT Arosas pass their MOT?
71.5% of the 3,053 2002 SEAT Arosa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 SEAT Arosa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.2% of tests, followed by suspension (11.8%).
Does the 2002 Arosa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.6% in the 0-30k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,053 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.