2013 Toyota Previa — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2013 Toyota Previa passed 78.3% of its 318 recorded MOT tests. MPVs of a similar age fail at 21.0%, so the 2013 Previa sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.2% of all tests — 11.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rear fog lamp and catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 30 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.8% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 23.9% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 35.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 20.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 61 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.9% | 25 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 5.3% | 17 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.0% | 16 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.0% | 16 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.7% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 30 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 20 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 19 |
| 4 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 18 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 16 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 12 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 35.2% | 112 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.1% | 83 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 24.8% | 79 |
| 4 | Brakes | 23.0% | 73 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.8% | 47 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.1% | 45 |
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 | 81 | 19.8% |
| 60-90k | 74 | 16.2% |
| 90-120k | 55 | 18.2% |
| 120-150k | 58 | 34.5% |
| 150k+ | 46 | 23.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 67 | 20.9% |
| 2022 | 56 | 25.0% |
| 2023 | 66 | 21.2% |
| 2024 | 63 | 19.1% |
| 2025 | 66 | 22.7% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Previa
On a 2013 Previa, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.9% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (5.3% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 Previas pass their MOT?
78.3% of the 318 2013 Toyota Previa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Toyota Previa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests, followed by suspension (7.9%).
Does the 2013 Previa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.8% in the 30-60k band to 23.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 318 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.