2013 Ford Galaxy — MOT failures & pass rate
28,115 MOT tests on the 2013 Ford Galaxy are in this dataset, and 75.8% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (20.7% fail rate), the 2013 Galaxy comes out 3.5pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.5% of all tests — 10.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, stop lamp and joints — position lamp alone was recorded 2,794 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.4% versus 16.4%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.6pp more often than petrol ones (24.3% vs 20.6%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 31.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 22.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 4,924 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.2% | 2,032 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.9% | 1,947 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.4% | 1,793 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.3% | 1,492 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.7% | 1,043 |
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 | 2,794 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 1,597 |
| 3 | Joints | 1,523 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 1,381 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 1,171 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 948 |
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 | 31.5% | 8,861 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.4% | 7,415 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.3% | 6,825 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.5% | 4,641 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.2% | 3,719 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 2,274 |
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 | 274 | 16.4% |
| 30-60k | 2,635 | 19.4% |
| 60-90k | 6,879 | 24.4% |
| 90-120k | 7,602 | 25.9% |
| 120-150k | 4,623 | 25.1% |
| 150k+ | 6,021 | 23.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 27,267 | 24.3% |
| Petrol | 848 | 20.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,341 | 22.5% |
| 2022 | 6,009 | 23.0% |
| 2023 | 5,670 | 23.8% |
| 2024 | 5,213 | 25.7% |
| 2025 | 4,882 | 26.5% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Galaxy
On a 2013 Galaxy, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.2% 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.
- Tyres (6.9% 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 Galaxys pass their MOT?
75.8% of the 28,115 2013 Ford Galaxy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Ford Galaxy?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.5% of tests, followed by suspension (7.2%).
Does the 2013 Galaxy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.4% in the 0-30k band to 23.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,115 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.