2002 Toyota Estima — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Toyota Estima passed 73.4% of its 414 recorded MOT tests. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.4% of the time, so this is 2.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 22.2% of all tests — 13.0 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 40 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2002 Estima fails 27.3% of the time in the 60-90k band and 29.6% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.3 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 47.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.2% | 92 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.2% | 38 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.0% | 33 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.8% | 28 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.8% | 24 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 22 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 40 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 39 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 36 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 24 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 23 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 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 | Suspension | 47.3% | 196 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 36.0% | 149 |
| 3 | Brakes | 33.6% | 139 |
| 4 | Tyres | 26.1% | 108 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 24.4% | 101 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.2% | 59 |
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 | 66 | 27.3% |
| 90-120k | 86 | 25.6% |
| 120-150k | 121 | 25.6% |
| 150k+ | 115 | 29.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 364 | 27.8% |
| Diesel | 40 | 20.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 55 | 29.1% |
| 2022 | 44 | 25.0% |
| 2023 | 40 | 25.0% |
| 2024 | 142 | 25.4% |
| 2025 | 133 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Estima
On a 2002 Estima, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 22.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (22.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.2% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (8.0% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 Estimas pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 414 2002 Toyota Estima MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Toyota Estima?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.2% of tests, followed by suspension (9.2%).
Does the 2002 Estima get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.3% in the 60-90k band to 29.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 414 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.