CarCostCheck

VAUXHALL FRONTERA (2002)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 145 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,195

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

76%

Average

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2172cc Diesel

Check Carefully

76% pass rate, £2195/year to run. 6 points below average.

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Diesel2172cc24 years old145 tests104k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2172cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245
Road Tax

Based on 2172cc

£395
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£2,195
Per month£183/mo
Per week£42/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

76% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VAUXHALL brand average of 84%.

At 24 years old, 76% of VAUXHALL FRONTERAs from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 145 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 103,989 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 cars154th of 403(top 38%)
Rank among VAUXHALL models654th of 882(top 74%)
vs national average-6%(82% avg)
vs 2002 cars average+3%(73% avg)
vs VAUXHALL average-8%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

103,989

Average miles

vs

177,600

Expected for age

The average 2002 VAUXHALL FRONTERA has 103,989 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-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?

The most reliable year is the 1993 model with a 82% MOT pass rate, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 55%. The 2002 sits between the two at 76%.

VAUXHALL FRONTERA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200473%12690,709 mi
200373%278106,951 mi
200276%145103,989 mi
200173%7583,125 mi
200055%13192,288 mi
199977%19191,796 mi
199880%239106,106 mi
199772%14993,235 mi
199678%157127,832 mi
199568%151128,815 mi
199475%110105,500 mi
199382%66129,619 mi

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About the 2002 VAUXHALL FRONTERA

The 2002 VAUXHALL FRONTERA is a family car with a 2172cc diesel engine. 145 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2002, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 103,989 miles at 24 years old, VAUXHALL FRONTERA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2002 VAUXHALL FRONTERA Fuel Costs

The 2172cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (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 FRONTERA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,195 183/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 76% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VAUXHALL FRONTERA Reliability Trend

Older VAUXHALL FRONTERAs 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 FRONTERA

At 24 years old, the VAUXHALL FRONTERA 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 1993 model has the highest pass rate at 82%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2002 VAUXHALL FRONTERA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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

Watch out

With an average of 104k 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 FRONTERA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VAUXHALL FRONTERA(2002)76%£1245£395Grp 25-38£2195
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2003)73%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£468
HONDA CIVIC(2004)72%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£468
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(2004)73%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£145
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2003)72%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£468

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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Explore other Vauxhall cars or similar models in the same category.

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