2002 Toyota Celica — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,526 MOT tests, the 2002 Toyota Celica recorded a 74.0% pass rate. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (22.6% fail rate), the 2002 Celica comes out 3.4pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.1% of all tests — 6.2 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 682 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.4% in the 0-30k band and 32.6% in the 150k+ band, a 21.2-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 32.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 1,215 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.9% | 746 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.8% | 740 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.5% | 642 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.9% | 445 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.0% | 378 |
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 | 682 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 603 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 469 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 406 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 342 |
| 6 | Wipers | 235 |
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 | 32.5% | 2,448 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.5% | 2,443 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.5% | 1,772 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.9% | 1,351 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 1,214 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.9% | 1,122 |
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 | 35 | 11.4% |
| 30-60k | 402 | 12.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,177 | 18.9% |
| 90-120k | 2,370 | 24.7% |
| 120-150k | 2,102 | 29.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,434 | 32.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,017 | 25.5% |
| 2022 | 1,751 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 1,452 | 24.7% |
| 2024 | 1,249 | 25.7% |
| 2025 | 1,057 | 27.4% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Celica
On a 2002 Celica, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.9% 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 (9.8% 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.
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 Celicas pass their MOT?
74.0% of the 7,526 2002 Toyota Celica MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Toyota Celica?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.1% of tests, followed by brakes (9.9%).
Does the 2002 Celica get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.4% in the 0-30k band to 32.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,526 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.