2002 Vauxhall Combo — MOT failures & pass rate
5,380 MOT tests on the 2002 Vauxhall Combo are in this dataset, and 65.6% of them passed. Against vans of a similar age (30.0% fail rate), the 2002 Combo comes out 4.4pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (20.8%) and lighting & signalling (19.8%) 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 562 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 34.2% versus 45.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 44.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 36.3% in 2021 to 33.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 20.8% | 1,119 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 19.8% | 1,065 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.2% | 872 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.8% | 741 |
| 5 | Visibility | 10.0% | 536 |
| 6 | Tyres | 8.0% | 430 |
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 | 562 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 506 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 484 |
| 4 | Joints | 445 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 364 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 343 |
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 | 44.5% | 2,396 |
| 2 | Suspension | 39.2% | 2,108 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.6% | 1,703 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 28.2% | 1,515 |
| 5 | Other defects | 24.9% | 1,341 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 23.4% | 1,259 |
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 | 55 | 45.5% |
| 30-60k | 96 | 29.2% |
| 60-90k | 567 | 31.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,082 | 34.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,423 | 34.8% |
| 150k+ | 1,945 | 34.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,163 | 34.6% |
| Petrol | 213 | 28.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,864 | 36.3% |
| 2022 | 1,328 | 33.1% |
| 2023 | 987 | 34.1% |
| 2024 | 686 | 32.5% |
| 2025 | 515 | 33.8% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Combo
On a 2002 Combo, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (20.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (19.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (16.2% 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 Combos pass their MOT?
65.6% of the 5,380 2002 Vauxhall Combo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Vauxhall Combo?
Suspension, recorded in 20.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (19.8%).
Does the 2002 Combo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 45.5% in the 0-30k band to 34.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,380 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.