2002 Toyota Previa — MOT failures & pass rate
3,548 MOT tests on the 2002 Toyota Previa are in this dataset, and 72.0% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.7% of the time, so this is 1.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 21.0% of all tests — 9.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp alone was recorded 398 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 30.0% versus 10.6%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 27.8% of the time against 29.0% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 54.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.0% | 746 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.8% | 419 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.9% | 387 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.8% | 384 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.7% | 345 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.1% | 252 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 398 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 300 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 299 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 274 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 265 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 241 |
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 | 54.7% | 1,942 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.4% | 1,363 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.3% | 1,005 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 27.3% | 968 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 25.9% | 919 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.5% | 835 |
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 | 47 | 10.6% |
| 60-90k | 277 | 19.1% |
| 90-120k | 736 | 25.3% |
| 120-150k | 1,090 | 30.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,365 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,841 | 27.8% |
| Diesel | 704 | 29.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 997 | 28.8% |
| 2022 | 815 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 670 | 27.3% |
| 2024 | 573 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 493 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Previa
On a 2002 Previa, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.8% 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.
- Brakes (10.9% 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.
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 Previas pass their MOT?
72.0% of the 3,548 2002 Toyota Previa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Toyota Previa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.0% of tests, followed by suspension (11.8%).
Does the 2002 Previa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.6% in the 30-60k band to 30.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,548 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.