2013 Honda Fit — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,080 MOT tests, the 2013 Honda Fit recorded a 91.6% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 22.4% of the time, so this is 14.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 7.1% of all tests — 4.7 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp aim and linkage ball joint dust cover — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 90 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2013 Fit fails 12.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 14.9% at 90-120k, a spread of only 2.5 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 11.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.7% of tests failed in 2023 against 10.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.1% | 148 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.4% | 50 |
| 3 | Tyres | 1.8% | 37 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.4% | 30 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.0% | 20 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.7% | 14 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 90 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 39 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 29 |
| 4 | Switch | 28 |
| 5 | Ball joint dust cover | 24 |
| 6 | Wipers | 22 |
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 | 11.2% | 233 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.3% | 110 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.0% | 62 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.8% | 59 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.8% | 37 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.8% | 37 |
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 | 137 | 12.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,147 | 8.3% |
| 60-90k | 703 | 7.0% |
| 90-120k | 74 | 14.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 1,736 | 7.9% |
| Petrol | 343 | 10.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 227 | 5.7% |
| 2024 | 780 | 6.5% |
| 2025 | 1,049 | 10.3% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Fit
On a 2013 Fit, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (7.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (2.4% 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 (1.8% 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 Honda Fits pass their MOT?
91.6% of the 2,080 2013 Honda Fit MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Honda Fit?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.1% of tests, followed by suspension (2.4%).
Does the 2013 Fit get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.4% in the 0-30k band to 14.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,080 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.