2002 Mercedes-Benz A-Class — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 8,705 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 70.7% was in line with the average for small family cars of a similar age (71.7%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 1,591 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.5% | 1,435 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.5% | 918 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.7% | 674 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.7% | 496 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 421 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 653 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 637 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 609 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 538 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 522 |
| 6 | Wipers | 434 |
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 | 46.6% | 4,055 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.0% | 2,960 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.2% | 2,190 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.5% | 1,870 |
| 5 | Other defects | 21.2% | 1,849 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.5% | 829 |
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 | 497 | 29.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,477 | 22.6% |
| 60-90k | 2,915 | 28.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,926 | 31.4% |
| 120-150k | 652 | 34.2% |
| 150k+ | 263 | 33.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 7,618 | 29.0% |
| Diesel | 1,087 | 31.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,925 | 30.7% |
| 2022 | 2,149 | 29.5% |
| 2023 | 1,582 | 27.5% |
| 2024 | 1,178 | 28.6% |
| 2025 | 871 | 27.9% |
What to check before buying a 2002 A-Class
Before buying a 2002 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.5% 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.
- Brakes (10.5% 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.
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 Mercedes-Benz A-Classs pass their MOT?
70.7% of the 8,705 2002 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mercedes-Benz A-Class?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.3% of tests, followed by suspension (16.5%).
Does the 2002 A-Class get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.8% in the 0-30k band to 33.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,705 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.