Ford Maverick (2002)

1,427 real MOT outcomes analysed • 72.8% first-time pass rate

2002 Ford Maverick

CarHunch analysed 1,427 real MOT records for the 2002 Ford Maverick. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2002 Ford Maverick has a first-time MOT pass rate of 72.8%, which sits notably below the UK average of 80% and signals above-average reliability issues for its age. More concerning is that one in three of these vehicles (33.3%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, making this a genuine buyer concern worth investigating on any specific example.

At nearly 76,800 miles median mileage, these Mavericks have covered a reasonable distance for their age, yet they're averaging 4.49 failures and a hefty 23.3 advisories per test—suggesting mechanical wear is catching up fast. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically targets the suspension, braking system, and electrical components, since the advisory count hints at creeping degradation across multiple systems.

Below average reliability 7.2% below UK average
72.8%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
76,803
typical mileage
61,925–91,860 middle half
33.3%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
4.49
avg MOT failures per car
over 15.6 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2002 Ford Maverick

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • ⚠️ 33.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Ford Maverick

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (98%) 1,405 72.7% 4.52
LPG (1%) 13 78.3% 2.77
Diesel (1%) 9 77.7% 2.44

Mileage Distribution

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

61,925
low mileage
76,803
typical
91,860
high mileage

Half of all 2002 Ford Maverick vehicles fall between 61,925 and 91,860 miles.

2002 Ford Maverick — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 58 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (6% of peak).

1,037 58 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

15.6
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
4.49
Avg failures per vehicle
23.3
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2002 Ford Maverick

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 68.7%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 59.7%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 42.6%
    Oil leak
  • 41.9%
    Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
  • 37.7%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 37%
    Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
  • 36.5%
    Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
  • 36.3%
    Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Ford Maverick?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Ford Maverick:

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2001 2003 2004