2002 Seat Inca — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 553 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Seat Inca, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 67.5% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.5% in the 150k+ group versus 25.8% in the 60-90k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 19.7% | 109 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.8% | 93 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 86 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.0% | 72 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.0% | 44 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.7% | 37 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 71 |
| 2 | Service brake imbalance | 46 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 44 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 40 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 37 |
| 6 | Wipers | 33 |
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 | 41.0% | 227 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.6% | 169 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.9% | 149 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.5% | 119 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.3% | 90 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 83 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 93 | 25.8% |
| 90-120k | 118 | 37.3% |
| 120-150k | 135 | 31.9% |
| 150k+ | 163 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 178 | 36.0% |
| 2022 | 131 | 32.1% |
| 2023 | 112 | 34.8% |
| 2024 | 76 | 34.2% |
| 2025 | 56 | 16.1% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Inca
Before buying a 2002 Seat Inca, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 19.7% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (19.7% 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.
- Suspension (16.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (15.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 Seat Incas pass their MOT?
67.5% of the 553 2002 Seat Inca MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Seat Inca?
Brakes, recorded in 19.7% of tests, followed by suspension (16.8%).
Does the 2002 Inca get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.8% in the 60-90k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 553 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.