2013 Ford B Max — MOT failures & pass rate
92,493 MOT tests on the 2013 Ford B Max are in this dataset, and 79.7% of them passed. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (20.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.7%) and suspension (9.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are stop lamp, ball joint and coil spring — stop lamp alone was recorded 7,336 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.5% in the 0-30k band and 29.4% in the 150k+ band, a 17.9-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 19.4% fail against 24.1% for diesel, a 4.7-point gap across 92,490 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 28.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 17.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 10,825 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.6% | 8,842 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.4% | 4,957 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.9% | 3,564 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.1% | 2,854 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 1,942 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stop lamp | 7,336 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 4,868 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 4,224 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 2,435 |
| 5 | Wipers | 2,422 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 2,221 |
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 | 28.4% | 26,256 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.3% | 16,906 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.9% | 16,584 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.6% | 10,721 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.1% | 5,656 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.6% | 4,235 |
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 | 9,474 | 11.5% |
| 30-60k | 40,404 | 17.5% |
| 60-90k | 30,594 | 24.0% |
| 90-120k | 9,436 | 27.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,925 | 28.6% |
| 150k+ | 538 | 29.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 75,611 | 19.4% |
| Diesel | 16,879 | 24.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 18,178 | 17.5% |
| 2022 | 18,473 | 18.6% |
| 2023 | 18,792 | 20.6% |
| 2024 | 18,607 | 21.9% |
| 2025 | 18,443 | 22.7% |
What to check before buying a 2013 B Max
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.6% 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.
- Tyres (5.4% 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 Ford B Maxs pass their MOT?
79.7% of the 92,493 2013 Ford B Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Ford B Max?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.7% of tests, followed by suspension (9.6%).
Does the 2013 B Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.5% in the 0-30k band to 29.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 92,493 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.