2002 Vauxhall Astravan — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Vauxhall Astravan passed 63.0% of its 330 recorded MOT tests. Vans of a similar age fail 30.0% of the time, so this is 7.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (25.1%) and lighting & signalling (23.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 64 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 31.9% of 90-120k cars fail, rising to 43.1% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 53.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 35.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 45.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 25.1% | 83 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 23.9% | 79 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.8% | 62 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.3% | 44 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.7% | 22 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.7% | 22 |
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 | 64 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 55 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 50 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 26 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 26 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 23 |
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 | 53.0% | 175 |
| 2 | Suspension | 52.7% | 174 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.8% | 95 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.3% | 67 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 20.3% | 67 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 19.4% | 64 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 90-120k | 72 | 31.9% |
| 120-150k | 80 | 33.8% |
| 150k+ | 146 | 43.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 284 | 38.4% |
| Petrol | 42 | 28.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 108 | 35.2% |
| 2022 | 82 | 35.4% |
| 2023 | 64 | 35.9% |
| 2024 | 45 | 40.0% |
| 2025 | 31 | 45.2% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Astravan
On a 2002 Astravan, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 25.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (25.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (23.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (18.8% 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 Astravans pass their MOT?
63.0% of the 330 2002 Vauxhall Astravan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 37.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Vauxhall Astravan?
Suspension, recorded in 25.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (23.9%).
Does the 2002 Astravan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 31.9% in the 90-120k band to 43.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 330 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.