Vauxhall Brava (2002)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 42 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,641

£220/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£410

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 25-38

2499cc Diesel

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £2,641/year to run. 11 points below average.

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Diesel2499cc24 years old42 tests92k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2499cc)

~40 mpg

£1,676

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£410

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,641

Per month£220/mo

Per week£51/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

71% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Vauxhall brand average of 84%.

71% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Bravas from 2002 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 22 years old. That's based on 42 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 91,988 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 models255th of 391(bottom half)

Rank among Vauxhall models759th of 870(bottom 13%)

vs average of all models-11%(82% avg)

vs 2002 models average-2%(73% avg)

vs Vauxhall average-13%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

91,988

Average miles

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2002 Vauxhall Brava had 91,988 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1999 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 83%, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 72%. The 2002 scores 71%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Vauxhall Brava by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2002	71%	42	91,988 mi
2001	76%	92	107,383 mi
2000	72%	87	105,028 mi
1999	83%	148	106,415 mi
1998	72%	164	122,268 mi
1997	82%	136	124,719 mi
1996	84%	50	134,039 mi
1995	71%	34	117,909 mi
1993	88%	32	133,031 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW 3 Series

2003 · 2926cc Diesel

£2,641/year

78%

+7%

Audi A4

2004 · 2496cc Diesel

£2,641/year

74%

+3%

Land Rover Discovery

2004 · 2495cc Diesel

£2,641/year

77%

+6%

Land Rover Defender

2003 · 2495cc Diesel

£2,641/year

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About the 2002 Vauxhall Brava

The 2002 Vauxhall Brava is a large car. Our records list a 2499cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 42 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2002, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 91,988 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Vauxhall Brava owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2002 Vauxhall Brava Fuel Costs

The 2499cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,676 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2002 Vauxhall Brava?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,641 (£220/month), broken down as £1,676 fuel, £410 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Vauxhall Brava Reliability Trend

Older Vauxhall Bravas tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 5 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 2002 Vauxhall Brava

At 24 years old, the Vauxhall Brava is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 1999 model has the highest pass rate at 83%. Note: with only 42 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 92k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2002 Vauxhall Brava stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Vauxhall Brava(2002)	71%	£1,676	£410	Grp 25-38	£2,641
BMW 3 Series(2003)	78%	£1,676	£410	Grp 30-42	£2,641same
Audi A4(2004)	74%	£1,676	£410	Grp 25-38	£2,641same
Land Rover Discovery(2004)	77%	£1,676	£410	Grp 25-38	£2,641same
Land Rover Defender(2003)	77%	£1,676	£410	Grp 25-38	£2,641same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2002 Vauxhall Brava

Is the 2002 Vauxhall Brava reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 71% of MOT tests on 2002 Vauxhall Bravas ended in a pass, from 42 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 11 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2002 Vauxhall Brava cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,641 a year (£220 a month): £1,676 fuel, £410 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2002 Vauxhall Brava?

71% of 42 MOT tests on the 2002 Vauxhall Brava ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 255th of 391 models first registered in 2002 (bottom half).

Which year Vauxhall Brava has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1999 Vauxhall Brava has the highest MOT pass rate at 83% and the 1998 the lowest at 72%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2002 Vauxhall Brava?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2002 Vauxhall Brava is 91,988 miles, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.