2002 Vauxhall Vivaro — MOT failures & pass rate
6,641 MOT tests on the 2002 Vauxhall Vivaro are in this dataset, and 66.0% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 30.0% of the time, so this is 4.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (22.9%) and suspension (20.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, service brake performance and ball joint — headlamp aim alone was recorded 699 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.4% in the 30-60k band and 34.8% in the 150k+ band, a 14.4-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 44.6% 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 | 22.9% | 1,518 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.1% | 1,334 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.7% | 1,240 |
| 4 | Visibility | 11.6% | 771 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 569 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.3% | 552 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 699 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 643 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 637 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 609 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 563 |
| 6 | Washers | 551 |
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 | 44.6% | 2,959 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.8% | 2,508 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 27.7% | 1,837 |
| 4 | Tyres | 25.0% | 1,659 |
| 5 | Other defects | 24.2% | 1,609 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 19.4% | 1,292 |
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 | 88 | 20.4% |
| 60-90k | 264 | 29.5% |
| 90-120k | 1,018 | 33.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,677 | 33.9% |
| 150k+ | 3,539 | 34.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,880 | 34.6% |
| 2022 | 1,583 | 34.4% |
| 2023 | 1,344 | 33.6% |
| 2024 | 1,005 | 33.5% |
| 2025 | 829 | 33.3% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Vivaro
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 22.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (22.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (20.1% 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 (18.7% 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 Vivaros pass their MOT?
66.0% of the 6,641 2002 Vauxhall Vivaro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Vauxhall Vivaro?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.9% of tests, followed by suspension (20.1%).
Does the 2002 Vivaro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.4% in the 30-60k band to 34.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,641 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.