2002 Volkswagen Transporter — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Volkswagen Transporter passed 70.6% of its 43,382 recorded MOT tests. Vans of a similar age fail at 29.9%, so the 2002 Transporter sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.1% of all tests — 5.6 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and service brake performance — headlamp aim alone was recorded 3,361 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 23.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 31.6% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 43.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 7,841 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.5% | 5,404 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.6% | 5,016 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 4,231 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.0% | 3,049 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.9% | 2,576 |
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 | 3,361 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 2,990 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 2,388 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 2,083 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 1,908 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,907 |
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 | 43.0% | 18,644 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.7% | 12,866 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.8% | 9,453 |
| 4 | Other defects | 21.2% | 9,195 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 20.0% | 8,673 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.3% | 7,492 |
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 | 176 | 23.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,223 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,349 | 19.2% |
| 90-120k | 4,351 | 25.6% |
| 120-150k | 6,788 | 28.8% |
| 150k+ | 28,470 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 43,050 | 29.4% |
| Petrol | 332 | 29.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,893 | 29.3% |
| 2022 | 9,037 | 29.2% |
| 2023 | 8,772 | 29.3% |
| 2024 | 8,526 | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 8,154 | 29.3% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Transporter
On a 2002 Transporter, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.5% 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.
- Suspension (11.6% 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 Volkswagen Transporters pass their MOT?
70.6% of the 43,382 2002 Volkswagen Transporter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Volkswagen Transporter?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by brakes (12.5%).
Does the 2002 Transporter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.3% in the 0-30k band to 31.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 43,382 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.