2013 Peugeot Independence — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2013 Peugeot Independence passed 77.0% of its 1,994 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (20.0% fail rate), the 2013 Independence comes out 3.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.8%) and body, structure & corrosion (11.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, position lamp and exhaust system — joints alone was recorded 155 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.5% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 24.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 21.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 236 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.4% | 227 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.9% | 137 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.8% | 116 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.4% | 107 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.0% | 80 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 155 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 112 |
| 3 | Exhaust system | 83 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 68 |
| 5 | Washers | 60 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 59 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 24.9% | 496 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.1% | 460 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.8% | 255 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.8% | 176 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.2% | 143 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.5% | 130 |
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 | 147 | 18.4% |
| 30-60k | 689 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 618 | 23.1% |
| 90-120k | 220 | 23.6% |
| 120-150k | 120 | 31.7% |
| 150k+ | 200 | 30.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 419 | 21.0% |
| 2022 | 409 | 22.0% |
| 2023 | 390 | 22.3% |
| 2024 | 409 | 25.2% |
| 2025 | 367 | 24.8% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Independence
On a 2013 Independence, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.4% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (6.9% 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 Peugeot Independences pass their MOT?
77.0% of the 1,994 2013 Peugeot Independence MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Peugeot Independence?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.8% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (11.4%).
Does the 2013 Independence get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.4% in the 0-30k band to 30.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,994 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.