2013 Renault Trafic — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2013 Renault Trafic passed 71.0% of its 30,246 recorded MOT tests. Against vans of a similar age (24.3% fail rate), the 2013 Trafic comes out 4.6pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests against 13.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, position lamp and pins and bushes — track rod end alone was recorded 3,623 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 16.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.5% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 33.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 5,732 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.4% | 4,065 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.1% | 3,362 |
| 4 | Steering | 10.6% | 3,194 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.6% | 2,009 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 1,527 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 3,623 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,651 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 1,821 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 1,542 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 1,487 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 1,420 |
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 | 33.5% | 10,128 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.4% | 7,063 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.6% | 6,547 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.8% | 3,871 |
| 5 | Visibility | 10.1% | 3,066 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.4% | 2,532 |
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 | 351 | 16.2% |
| 30-60k | 2,076 | 22.2% |
| 60-90k | 5,862 | 27.2% |
| 90-120k | 7,537 | 29.7% |
| 120-150k | 6,279 | 30.6% |
| 150k+ | 8,080 | 30.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,246 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 6,265 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 6,121 | 28.9% |
| 2024 | 5,908 | 29.7% |
| 2025 | 5,706 | 30.0% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Trafic
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.4% 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.
- Brakes (11.1% 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.
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 Renault Trafics pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 30,246 2013 Renault Trafic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Renault Trafic?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by suspension (13.4%).
Does the 2013 Trafic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.2% in the 0-30k band to 30.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 30,246 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.