Daewoo

Daewoo Nubira (2002)

750 real MOT outcomes analysed • 66.1% first-time pass rate

2002 Daewoo Nubira

CarHunch analysed 750 real MOT records for the 2002 Daewoo Nubira. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2002 Daewoo Nubira has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 66.1%, well below the UK average of 80%, which reflects genuine reliability struggles for this model. A concerning 30.1% of these vehicles have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their testing history, a red flag that suggests structural or safety issues are common enough to warrant serious caution.

These cars average around 53,000 miles at test time, which is reasonable for a 22-year-old vehicle, yet owners are dealing with an average of 3.19 failures and 9.4 advisories per MOT—well above typical wear-and-tear expectations. If you're considering one, factor in regular repair costs and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on brakes, suspension, and structural integrity before committing.

The 2002 Daewoo Nubira has a below-average first-time pass rate (66.1% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.
First-time pass
66.1%
UK average ~80%
Below average
Dangerous (ever)
30.1%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
3.19
Over 8.8 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
49k
Middle half: 38k–65k
For context
⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 9.4 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.
🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 750 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 750 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 45.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Brake wear 39.5%
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Other issues 38.8%
Oil leak
Suspension & steering 29.3%
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement · Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 750 Daewoo Nubira cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2002 Daewoo Nubira

Based on MOT data from 750 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 30.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 18,633 Daewoo Nubira vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 30.8%
5,745
Green 28.8%
5,361
Blue 15.4%
2,867
Red 15.4%
2,866
White 4.9%
909
Black 2.3%
426
Grey 2.2%
409
Brown 0.2%
33
Maroon 0.1%
12
Gold 0%
5

Mileage Distribution

Most 2002 Daewoo Nubira vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

49,071
typical
37,587
low mileage
64,712
high mileage

Half of all 2002 Daewoo Nubira vehicles fall between 37,587 and 64,712 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 37,587 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
37,587–64,712 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2002 Daewoo Nubiras sit.
Over 87,361 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2002 Daewoo Nubira — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 11% of 2002 Daewoo Nubiras are still active.

Numbers are declining — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2019 (11% of peak).

95 10 2014 2019

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2019.

MOT History Averages

8.8
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
3.19
Avg failures per vehicle
9.4
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Daewoo Nubira: All Nubira years → Which year to buy? →
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2003 2004 2005

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Buyer beware — pass it on