2002 Vauxhall Vx220 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Vauxhall Vx220 passed 84.8% of its 969 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (27.4% fail rate), the 2002 Vx220 comes out 12.2pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.6%) and brakes (7.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 45 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.4% in the 0-30k band and 23.8% in the 90-120k band, a 17.4-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 17.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 15.6% in 2021 to 12.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 83 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.0% | 68 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 49 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.3% | 32 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.8% | 27 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.0% | 19 |
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 | 45 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 30 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 29 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 25 |
| 5 | Anti-lock braking system | 23 |
| 6 | Washers | 22 |
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 | 17.1% | 166 |
| 2 | Tyres | 11.8% | 114 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.4% | 91 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.4% | 62 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.5% | 44 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.0% | 39 |
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 | 125 | 6.4% |
| 30-60k | 310 | 10.7% |
| 60-90k | 385 | 17.9% |
| 90-120k | 122 | 23.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 205 | 15.6% |
| 2022 | 206 | 18.0% |
| 2023 | 201 | 17.4% |
| 2024 | 182 | 11.5% |
| 2025 | 175 | 12.6% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Vx220
On a 2002 Vx220, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.0% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (5.1% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 Vx220s pass their MOT?
84.8% of the 969 2002 Vauxhall Vx220 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Vauxhall Vx220?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.6% of tests, followed by brakes (7.0%).
Does the 2002 Vx220 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.4% in the 0-30k band to 23.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 969 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.