Toyota Corolla (2002)
2002 Toyota Corolla
CarHunch analysed 23,443 real MOT records for the 2002 Toyota Corolla. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2002 Toyota Corolla's 77.9% first-time pass rate sits just below the UK average of 80%, marking it as slightly more troublesome than typical for its age, and nearly 28% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a significant red flag for buyers. Diesel versions struggle particularly hard, passing on just 75.2% of first tests compared to 78.1% for petrol, so fuel choice matters here.
At 71,500 miles median mileage, these Corollas have been well used but not excessively so for a 22-year-old car, yet they're racking up nearly 4 failures and 19.5 advisories per test on average—suggesting mechanical wear is catching up. Before buying, budget for immediate repairs on the advisory list and request a full service history to understand what's already been addressed, because this cohort is heading into the expensive years of ownership.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.9 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2002 Toyota Corolla
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.
- ⚠️ 27.6% 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 Toyota Corolla
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (93%) | 21,692 | 78.1% | 3.89 |
| Diesel (7%) | 1,710 | 75.2% | 4.19 |
| Other (0%) | 26 | 84.6% | 0.92 |
| LPG (0%) | 13 | 76.4% | 3.08 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 73.3% | 4 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 91.7% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2002 Toyota Corolla 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.
Half of all 2002 Toyota Corolla vehicles fall between 56,076 and 87,889 miles.
2002 Toyota Corolla — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 2,848 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (15% of peak).
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
Most Common MOT Issues — 2002 Toyota Corolla
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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71.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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64.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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51%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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42%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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41.9%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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31.2%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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26.8%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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24.6%
Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Toyota Corolla?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.