2002 Vauxhall Omega — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,221 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Vauxhall Omega, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 76.4% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 26.5% in the 150k+ group versus 16.3% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 250 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.8% | 240 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.6% | 168 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.1% | 136 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 118 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.9% | 109 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 190 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 170 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 144 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 102 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 90 |
| 6 | Wipers | 73 |
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 | 41.8% | 928 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.0% | 756 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.8% | 550 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 22.0% | 488 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.9% | 441 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 306 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 276 | 16.3% |
| 60-90k | 604 | 21.7% |
| 90-120k | 674 | 24.2% |
| 120-150k | 382 | 29.3% |
| 150k+ | 264 | 26.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,069 | 23.4% |
| Diesel | 152 | 26.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 704 | 23.2% |
| 2022 | 561 | 24.6% |
| 2023 | 399 | 20.8% |
| 2024 | 323 | 27.2% |
| 2025 | 234 | 22.2% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Omega
Before buying a 2002 Vauxhall Omega, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 11.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (11.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.8% 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 (7.6% 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 Omegas pass their MOT?
76.4% of the 2,221 2002 Vauxhall Omega MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Vauxhall Omega?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.3% of tests, followed by suspension (10.8%).
Does the 2002 Omega get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.3% in the 30-60k band to 26.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,221 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.