2002 Vauxhall Astra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 50,317 MOT tests, the 2002 Vauxhall Astra recorded a 71.0% pass rate. That is effectively the same as small family cars of a similar age (28.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests against 14.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rigid brake pipes and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 6,019 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.8% in the 0-30k band and 32.7% in the 150k+ band, a 8.9-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 28.4% fail against 31.7% for diesel, a 3.3-point gap across 50,304 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 46.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.0% in 2021 to 27.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 9,655 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.8% | 7,439 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.2% | 6,151 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 3,739 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.0% | 3,526 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 3,316 |
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 | 6,019 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 5,085 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 3,980 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 2,533 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 2,510 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 2,333 |
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 | 46.9% | 23,607 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.1% | 19,166 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.3% | 14,246 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.8% | 10,954 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.8% | 7,971 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.4% | 7,741 |
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 | 823 | 23.8% |
| 30-60k | 5,322 | 22.4% |
| 60-90k | 13,106 | 26.6% |
| 90-120k | 13,985 | 29.6% |
| 120-150k | 8,858 | 32.2% |
| 150k+ | 7,230 | 32.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 40,485 | 28.4% |
| Diesel | 9,819 | 31.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,824 | 30.0% |
| 2022 | 12,026 | 28.7% |
| 2023 | 9,432 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 7,425 | 29.2% |
| 2025 | 5,610 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Astra
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.8% 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 (12.2% 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 Vauxhall Astras pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 50,317 2002 Vauxhall Astra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Vauxhall Astra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests, followed by suspension (14.8%).
Does the 2002 Astra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.8% in the 0-30k band to 32.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 50,317 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.