2013 Citroen Nemo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,005 MOT tests, the 2013 Citroen Nemo recorded a 74.1% pass rate. Vans of a similar age fail 24.2% of the time, so this is 1.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (16.2%) and lighting & signalling (13.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, shock absorbers and position lamp — coil spring alone was recorded 919 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.3% in the 0-30k band and 27.9% in the 150k+ band, a 7.7-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.0pp more often than petrol ones (26.1% vs 24.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 31.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.2% | 1,623 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 1,337 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.0% | 698 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.2% | 616 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.3% | 532 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.1% | 414 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 919 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 850 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 534 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 416 |
| 5 | Wipers | 334 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 325 |
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 | 31.8% | 3,181 |
| 2 | Suspension | 21.9% | 2,192 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.0% | 1,699 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 15.3% | 1,528 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 1,241 |
| 6 | Visibility | 10.3% | 1,035 |
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 | 212 | 20.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,403 | 22.4% |
| 60-90k | 2,960 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 2,871 | 26.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,507 | 26.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,020 | 27.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 9,236 | 26.1% |
| Petrol | 769 | 24.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,301 | 25.6% |
| 2022 | 2,205 | 25.0% |
| 2023 | 2,049 | 26.5% |
| 2024 | 1,836 | 26.2% |
| 2025 | 1,614 | 26.5% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Nemo
On a 2013 Nemo, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (16.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (13.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (7.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 Nemos pass their MOT?
74.1% of the 10,005 2013 Citroen Nemo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Citroen Nemo?
Suspension, recorded in 16.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.4%).
Does the 2013 Nemo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.3% in the 0-30k band to 27.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,005 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.