Vauxhall Frontera (2002)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 145 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,641

£220/month

MOT Pass Rate

76%

Average

Road Tax

£410

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 25-38

2172cc Diesel

Check Carefully

76% pass rate, £2,641/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

£1,676

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£410

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£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

76% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Vauxhall brand average of 84%.

76% of MOT tests on Vauxhall Fronteras from 2002 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 22 years old. That's based on 145 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 103,989 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 models149th of 391(top half)

Rank among Vauxhall models650th of 870(bottom half)

vs average of all models-6%(82% avg)

vs 2002 models average+3%(73% avg)

vs Vauxhall average-8%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

103,989

Average miles

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2002 Vauxhall Frontera had 103,989 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 1998 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 80%, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 55%. The 2002 scores 76%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Vauxhall Frontera by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2004	73%	126	90,709 mi
2003	73%	278	106,951 mi
2002	76%	145	103,989 mi
2001	73%	75	83,125 mi
2000	55%	131	92,288 mi
1999	77%	191	91,796 mi
1998	80%	239	106,106 mi
1997	72%	149	93,235 mi
1996	78%	157	127,832 mi
1995	68%	151	128,815 mi
1994	75%	110	105,500 mi
1993	82%	66	129,619 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Volkswagen Golf

2003 · 1896cc Diesel

£2,227/year

73%

-3%

Honda Civic

2004 · 1686cc Diesel

£2,227/year

72%

-4%

Vauxhall Astra

2003 · 1700cc Diesel

£2,227/year

72%

-4%

Audi A4

2004 · 2496cc Diesel

£2,641/year

74%

-2%

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About the 2002 Vauxhall Frontera

The 2002 Vauxhall Frontera is a family car. Our records list a 2172cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 145 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 beats that benchmark.

With an average of 103,989 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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 £1,676 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 Frontera?

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 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 4 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 1998 model has the highest pass rate at 80%.

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

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 estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Vauxhall Frontera(2002)	76%	£1,676	£410	Grp 25-38	£2,641
Volkswagen Golf(2003)	73%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£414
Honda Civic(2004)	72%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£414
Vauxhall Astra(2003)	72%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£414
Audi A4(2004)	74%	£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 Frontera

Is the 2002 Vauxhall Frontera reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 76% of MOT tests on 2002 Vauxhall Fronteras ended in a pass, from 145 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 6 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2002 Vauxhall Frontera 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 Frontera?

76% of 145 MOT tests on the 2002 Vauxhall Frontera ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 149th of 391 models first registered in 2002 (top half).

Which year Vauxhall Frontera has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 Vauxhall Frontera has the highest MOT pass rate at 80% and the 2000 the lowest at 55%. 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 Frontera?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2002 Vauxhall Frontera is 103,989 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.