2002 Vauxhall Omega — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,221 MOT tests, the 2002 Vauxhall Omega recorded a 76.4% pass rate. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (24.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.3%) and suspension (10.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, rigid brake pipes and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 190 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 26.5% versus 16.3%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 41.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
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
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.3% of tests. Start there.
- 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 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.