2002 Skoda Superb — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 389 MOT tests, the 2002 Skoda Superb recorded a 74.0% pass rate. Against large family cars of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), the 2002 Superb comes out 2.2pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.7% of all tests — 6.4 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and joints — position lamp alone was recorded 40 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2002 Superb fails 27.5% of the time in the 60-90k band and 29.0% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.5 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 38.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.3% in 2021 to 26.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.7% | 69 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.3% | 44 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.1% | 43 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 38 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.2% | 24 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.1% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 40 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 33 |
| 3 | Joints | 28 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 23 |
| 5 | Flexible brake hoses | 22 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 22 |
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 | 38.3% | 149 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.2% | 133 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 28.3% | 110 |
| 4 | Tyres | 24.9% | 97 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.3% | 71 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.7% | 65 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 40 | 27.5% |
| 90-120k | 64 | 25.0% |
| 120-150k | 92 | 19.6% |
| 150k+ | 179 | 29.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 297 | 26.9% |
| Petrol | 92 | 22.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 133 | 32.3% |
| 2022 | 93 | 24.7% |
| 2023 | 68 | 17.6% |
| 2024 | 54 | 22.2% |
| 2025 | 41 | 26.8% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Superb
On a 2002 Superb, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.3% 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.
- Suspension (11.1% 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 Skoda Superbs pass their MOT?
74.0% of the 389 2002 Skoda Superb MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Skoda Superb?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.7% of tests, followed by brakes (11.3%).
Does the 2002 Superb get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.5% in the 60-90k band to 29.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 389 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.