2002 Vauxhall Corsavan — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Vauxhall Corsavan passed 64.5% of its 473 recorded MOT tests. Vans of a similar age fail 30.0% of the time, so this is 5.5pp 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 (22.2%) and lighting & signalling (21.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), headlamp aim and component mounting prescribed areas — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 58 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 35.5% versus 31.3%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 38.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 30.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 32.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 22.2% | 105 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 21.3% | 101 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.9% | 94 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.4% | 68 |
| 5 | Visibility | 11.4% | 54 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.0% | 38 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 58 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 42 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 42 |
| 4 | Joints | 40 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 39 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 37 |
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 | 38.0% | 180 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.8% | 155 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.8% | 141 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 29.6% | 140 |
| 5 | Other defects | 24.9% | 118 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 19.9% | 94 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 67 | 31.3% |
| 90-120k | 110 | 36.4% |
| 120-150k | 110 | 35.4% |
| 150k+ | 141 | 35.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 153 | 30.7% |
| 2022 | 126 | 37.3% |
| 2023 | 89 | 40.5% |
| 2024 | 68 | 38.2% |
| 2025 | 37 | 32.4% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Corsavan
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 22.2% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (22.2% 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 (21.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (19.9% 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 Vauxhall Corsavans pass their MOT?
64.5% of the 473 2002 Vauxhall Corsavan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 35.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Vauxhall Corsavan?
Suspension, recorded in 22.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (21.3%).
Does the 2002 Corsavan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 31.3% in the 60-90k band to 35.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 473 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.