2002 Vauxhall Omega petrol: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the petrol Vauxhall Omega first registered in 2002 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 760 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2002 Vauxhall Omega petrol?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2002 Vauxhall Omega petrol than on all cars registered in 2002.
- Rust around sub-frame mountings4.8× usualVauxhall Omega5.8% All 2002 cars1.2%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.3% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
Flexible brake hoses: 2.6% here, against 5.9% of all 2002 cars.
Common 2002 Vauxhall Omega petrol MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2002 Vauxhall Omega petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Brakes45% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Suspension42% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Oil and fluid leaks25% of testsRough price £80–£600
At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.
- Lights and electrics25% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres24% of testsRough price £70–£150
At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Rust and bodywork14% of testsRough price £150–£1,000
At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2002 Vauxhall Omega petrol
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the rust around sub-frame mountings? (Flagged at MOT 4.8× as often on the 2002 Vauxhall Omega petrol as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Vauxhall Omega?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Vauxhall Omega compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | – | Too few tests |
| 2003 | 997 | Suspension 40% |
| 2001 | 680 | Brakes 42% |
| 2000 | 348 | Brakes 38% |
| 1999 | 167 | Suspension 37% |
| 1998 | – | Too few tests |
| 1997 | – | Too few tests |
| 1996 | – | Too few tests |
| 1995 | – | Too few tests |
| 1994 | – | Too few tests |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Vauxhall Omega cars first registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score