2013 Citroen Berlingo — MOT failures & pass rate
84,256 MOT tests on the 2013 Citroen Berlingo are in this dataset, and 75.4% of them passed. That is effectively the same as vans of a similar age (24.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.2% of tests against 9.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, stop lamp and joints — position lamp alone was recorded 8,343 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.8% in the 0-30k band and 27.8% in the 150k+ band, a 14.1-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 28.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 22.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.2% | 17,891 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.7% | 8,157 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.5% | 6,304 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.2% | 5,202 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.9% | 4,968 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.9% | 4,934 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 8,343 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 7,358 |
| 3 | Joints | 6,411 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 4,909 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 4,614 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 4,317 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 28.0% | 23,572 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.7% | 18,270 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 16.2% | 13,651 |
| 4 | Suspension | 15.8% | 13,316 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.4% | 6,257 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.9% | 5,778 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 2,516 | 13.8% |
| 30-60k | 12,124 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 20,717 | 23.4% |
| 90-120k | 21,069 | 25.9% |
| 120-150k | 14,877 | 27.4% |
| 150k+ | 12,912 | 27.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 83,952 | 24.7% |
| Petrol | 289 | 17.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17,420 | 22.2% |
| 2022 | 17,357 | 23.5% |
| 2023 | 17,078 | 24.6% |
| 2024 | 16,612 | 26.3% |
| 2025 | 15,789 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Berlingo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 21.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (21.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (7.5% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2013 Citroen Berlingos pass their MOT?
75.4% of the 84,256 2013 Citroen Berlingo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Citroen Berlingo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.2% of tests, followed by suspension (9.7%).
Does the 2013 Berlingo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.8% in the 0-30k band to 27.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 84,256 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.