2002 Toyota Camry — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Toyota Camry passed 83.5% of its 690 recorded MOT tests. That is 11.6 percentage points better than large family cars of a similar age, which fail at 28.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.5% of tests against 6.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and headlamp — position lamp alone was recorded 52 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 13.1% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 18.8% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 28.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 16.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 86 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.4% | 44 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.1% | 42 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 32 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.2% | 29 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.3% | 23 |
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 | 52 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 34 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 32 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 21 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 19 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 18 |
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 | 28.8% | 199 |
| 2 | Tyres | 22.8% | 157 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.6% | 149 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.2% | 112 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.2% | 112 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.9% | 103 |
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 | 61 | 13.1% |
| 60-90k | 163 | 9.8% |
| 90-120k | 187 | 21.9% |
| 120-150k | 160 | 16.9% |
| 150k+ | 117 | 18.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 159 | 16.4% |
| 2022 | 143 | 13.3% |
| 2023 | 142 | 17.6% |
| 2024 | 132 | 17.4% |
| 2025 | 114 | 18.4% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Camry
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.4% 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 (6.1% 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 Toyota Camrys pass their MOT?
83.5% of the 690 2002 Toyota Camry MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Toyota Camry?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.5% of tests, followed by suspension (6.4%).
Does the 2002 Camry get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.1% in the 30-60k band to 18.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 690 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.