2013 Toyota Yaris — MOT failures & pass rate
172,204 MOT tests on the 2013 Toyota Yaris are in this dataset, and 83.2% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 21.2% of the time, so this is 4.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.3%) and suspension (8.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, position lamp and washers — coil spring alone was recorded 11,027 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.2% in the 0-30k band and 22.6% in the 150k+ band, a 12.4-point spread — more than double.
The hybrid cars hold up better: 15.0% fail against 20.2% for diesel, a 5.2-point gap across 38,596 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 15.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 17,648 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.3% | 14,345 |
| 3 | Visibility | 4.8% | 8,305 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.0% | 6,838 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.1% | 5,423 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.8% | 1,295 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 11,027 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 8,494 |
| 3 | Washers | 4,397 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 4,063 |
| 5 | Wipers | 3,910 |
| 6 | Side repeaters | 3,888 |
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 | 25.3% | 43,634 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.5% | 33,644 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.4% | 26,502 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.0% | 12,120 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.0% | 12,082 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.6% | 6,227 |
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 | 19,446 | 10.2% |
| 30-60k | 71,455 | 15.0% |
| 60-90k | 54,693 | 19.1% |
| 90-120k | 19,746 | 21.3% |
| 120-150k | 5,082 | 22.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,773 | 22.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 133,453 | 17.1% |
| Hybrid | 31,071 | 15.0% |
| Diesel | 7,525 | 20.2% |
| Other | 95 | 13.7% |
| Electric | 60 | 13.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 33,900 | 15.5% |
| 2022 | 34,030 | 15.8% |
| 2023 | 34,528 | 17.0% |
| 2024 | 34,451 | 16.7% |
| 2025 | 35,295 | 18.9% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Yaris
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.3% 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 (4.8% 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 Yariss pass their MOT?
83.2% of the 172,204 2013 Toyota Yaris MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Toyota Yaris?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.3% of tests, followed by suspension (8.3%).
Does the 2013 Yaris get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.2% in the 0-30k band to 22.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 172,204 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.