2002 Suzuki Carry — MOT failures & pass rate
3,337 MOT tests on the 2002 Suzuki Carry are in this dataset, and 70.5% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.5% of the time, so this is 2.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.9%) and suspension (15.8%) 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, headlamp and catalyst emissions — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 600 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 33.3% versus 24.2%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 30.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.9% in 2021 to 27.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 530 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.8% | 528 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 327 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.9% | 263 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.7% | 257 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.1% | 203 |
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 | 600 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 235 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 233 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 208 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 208 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 175 |
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 | 30.2% | 1,008 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.4% | 980 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.8% | 795 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.3% | 712 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.8% | 594 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 485 |
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 | 99 | 24.2% |
| 30-60k | 623 | 24.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,185 | 27.7% |
| 90-120k | 899 | 33.3% |
| 120-150k | 381 | 35.2% |
| 150k+ | 147 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 915 | 30.9% |
| 2022 | 744 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 642 | 30.8% |
| 2024 | 551 | 28.3% |
| 2025 | 485 | 27.4% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Carry
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.8% 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 (9.8% 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 Suzuki Carrys pass their MOT?
70.5% of the 3,337 2002 Suzuki Carry MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Suzuki Carry?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by suspension (15.8%).
Does the 2002 Carry get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.2% in the 0-30k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,337 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.