2013 Toyota Aqua — MOT failures & pass rate
569 MOT tests on the 2013 Toyota Aqua are in this dataset, and 89.6% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 22.2% of the time, so this is 11.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.4% of tests against 4.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, linkage ball joint dust cover and position lamp — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 25 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2013 Aqua fails 15.0% of the time in the 0-30k band and 17.9% at 90-120k, a spread of only 2.9 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 12.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 5.3% of tests failed in 2023 against 12.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 59 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.4% | 25 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.6% | 15 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.1% | 12 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.7% | 4 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.4% | 2 |
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 | 25 |
| 2 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 21 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 19 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 15 |
| 5 | Wipers | 13 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
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% | 73 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.4% | 59 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 7.4% | 42 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.9% | 22 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.4% | 8 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.4% | 8 |
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 | 40 | 15.0% |
| 30-60k | 277 | 8.3% |
| 60-90k | 202 | 10.4% |
| 90-120k | 39 | 17.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 530 | 10.4% |
| Petrol | 34 | 8.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 75 | 5.3% |
| 2024 | 197 | 9.6% |
| 2025 | 273 | 12.8% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Aqua
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.4% 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.
- Visibility (2.6% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 Toyota Aquas pass their MOT?
89.6% of the 569 2013 Toyota Aqua MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Toyota Aqua?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.4% of tests, followed by suspension (4.4%).
Does the 2013 Aqua get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.0% in the 0-30k band to 17.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 569 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.