2013 Vauxhall Vivaro — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 71,932 MOT tests, the 2013 Vauxhall Vivaro recorded a 70.2% pass rate. That is 5.5 percentage points worse than vans of a similar age, which fail at 24.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests against 15.8% 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 8,566 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.9% in the 0-30k band and 30.7% in the 150k+ band, a 8.8-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 35.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 28.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 31.0% 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% | 13,795 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.8% | 11,370 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.5% | 8,291 |
| 4 | Steering | 10.6% | 7,605 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.4% | 4,575 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 3,428 |
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 | 8,566 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 6,291 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 4,601 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 4,053 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 3,995 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 3,611 |
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 | 35.6% | 25,643 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.6% | 17,726 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.5% | 16,155 |
| 4 | Other defects | 13.7% | 9,830 |
| 5 | Visibility | 10.1% | 7,284 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.6% | 6,218 |
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 | 535 | 21.9% |
| 30-60k | 4,188 | 22.9% |
| 60-90k | 12,340 | 28.1% |
| 90-120k | 18,123 | 30.5% |
| 120-150k | 16,663 | 31.0% |
| 150k+ | 19,978 | 30.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,209 | 28.3% |
| 2022 | 14,762 | 28.7% |
| 2023 | 14,549 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 14,073 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 13,339 | 31.0% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Vivaro
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.2% of tests. Start there.
- 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 (15.8% 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 (11.5% 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 Vauxhall Vivaros pass their MOT?
70.2% of the 71,932 2013 Vauxhall Vivaro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Vauxhall Vivaro?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests, followed by suspension (15.8%).
Does the 2013 Vivaro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.9% in the 0-30k band to 30.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 71,932 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.