2002 Vauxhall Corsa — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 46,991 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Vauxhall Corsa, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 68.1% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (70.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 33.6% in the 150k+ group versus 23.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 8,029 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.3% | 7,642 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.7% | 5,963 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.9% | 5,599 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.1% | 3,791 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.9% | 2,779 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 3,944 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 3,939 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 3,314 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 3,221 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 2,897 |
| 6 | Wipers | 2,298 |
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 | 34.2% | 16,087 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.9% | 14,070 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.8% | 13,520 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 24.3% | 11,418 |
| 5 | Other defects | 21.6% | 10,167 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 20.5% | 9,645 |
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 | 1,505 | 23.8% |
| 30-60k | 10,788 | 27.9% |
| 60-90k | 17,061 | 31.9% |
| 90-120k | 11,509 | 34.4% |
| 120-150k | 4,311 | 36.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,398 | 33.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 45,411 | 31.8% |
| Diesel | 1,580 | 33.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,676 | 33.1% |
| 2022 | 11,388 | 31.5% |
| 2023 | 8,658 | 31.3% |
| 2024 | 6,474 | 31.1% |
| 2025 | 4,795 | 31.1% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Corsa
Before buying a 2002 Vauxhall Corsa, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.3% 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 (12.7% 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 Corsas pass their MOT?
68.1% of the 46,991 2002 Vauxhall Corsa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Vauxhall Corsa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.1% of tests, followed by suspension (16.3%).
Does the 2002 Corsa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.8% in the 0-30k band to 33.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 46,991 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.