2002 Vauxhall Vectra — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Vauxhall Vectra passed 71.5% of its 5,325 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (14.0%) and lighting & signalling (13.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, headlamp aim and coil spring — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 439 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.1% in the 0-30k band and 32.9% in the 150k+ band, a 17.8-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 43.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.9% in 2021 to 27.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 14.0% | 745 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 733 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.5% | 719 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 390 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 389 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.9% | 316 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 439 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 433 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 277 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 270 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 257 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 243 |
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 | 43.6% | 2,324 |
| 2 | Suspension | 41.0% | 2,185 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.4% | 1,461 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 19.7% | 1,051 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.7% | 1,047 |
| 6 | Other defects | 19.5% | 1,038 |
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 | 73 | 15.1% |
| 30-60k | 572 | 25.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,402 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,602 | 29.6% |
| 120-150k | 901 | 30.9% |
| 150k+ | 732 | 32.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,880 | 28.1% |
| Diesel | 445 | 33.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,798 | 29.9% |
| 2022 | 1,294 | 29.7% |
| 2023 | 945 | 26.8% |
| 2024 | 718 | 26.3% |
| 2025 | 570 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Vectra
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 14.0% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (14.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (13.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.5% 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.
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 Vectras pass their MOT?
71.5% of the 5,325 2002 Vauxhall Vectra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Vauxhall Vectra?
Brakes, recorded in 14.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.8%).
Does the 2002 Vectra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.1% in the 0-30k band to 32.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,325 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.