2013 Nissan Serena — MOT failures & pass rate
1,225 MOT tests on the 2013 Nissan Serena are in this dataset, and 89.0% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (22.8% fail rate), the 2013 Serena comes out 11.7pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.3% of tests against 3.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, position lamp and brake pads — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 66 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 24.2% versus 6.7%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 12.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 114 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.3% | 40 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.1% | 38 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.3% | 28 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.2% | 27 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.9% | 11 |
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 | 66 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 48 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 32 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 25 |
| 5 | Wipers | 19 |
| 6 | Switch | 16 |
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 | 12.8% | 157 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.3% | 139 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.9% | 121 |
| 4 | Steering | 5.8% | 71 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.7% | 58 |
| 6 | Other defects | 2.9% | 36 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 299 | 6.7% |
| 60-90k | 619 | 9.4% |
| 90-120k | 213 | 17.8% |
| 120-150k | 52 | 21.1% |
| 150k+ | 33 | 24.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 780 | 10.1% |
| Petrol | 438 | 12.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 53 | 15.1% |
| 2022 | 91 | 12.1% |
| 2023 | 196 | 8.7% |
| 2024 | 385 | 7.5% |
| 2025 | 500 | 14.0% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Serena
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 9.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (9.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (3.1% 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.
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 Nissan Serenas pass their MOT?
89.0% of the 1,225 2013 Nissan Serena MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Nissan Serena?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.3% of tests, followed by brakes (3.3%).
Does the 2013 Serena get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.7% in the 30-60k band to 24.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,225 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.