2002 Volkswagen Lt — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,735 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Volkswagen Lt, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 70.5% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.6%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.1% | 384 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.5% | 356 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.3% | 161 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 151 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.2% | 73 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.2% | 56 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 204 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 164 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 136 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 119 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 102 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 101 |
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 | 45.9% | 796 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.1% | 644 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 22.6% | 392 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.4% | 337 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.1% | 331 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.2% | 298 |
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 | 34 | 38.2% |
| 30-60k | 34 | 11.8% |
| 60-90k | 131 | 29.0% |
| 90-120k | 244 | 25.8% |
| 120-150k | 354 | 27.7% |
| 150k+ | 918 | 31.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 400 | 29.0% |
| 2022 | 384 | 32.3% |
| 2023 | 334 | 27.8% |
| 2024 | 328 | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 289 | 27.7% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Lt
Before buying a 2002 Volkswagen Lt, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 22.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (22.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (20.5% 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 (9.3% 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 Lts pass their MOT?
70.5% of the 1,735 2002 Volkswagen Lt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Volkswagen Lt?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.1% of tests, followed by brakes (20.5%).
Does the 2002 Lt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 38.2% in the 0-30k band to 31.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,735 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.