2013 Volkswagen California — MOT failures & pass rate
3,449 MOT tests on the 2013 Volkswagen California are in this dataset, and 85.0% of them passed. That is 5.1 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 20.1%. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (5.7%) and tyres (4.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, washers and pins and bushes — coil spring alone was recorded 140 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.3% in the 0-30k band and 30.5% in the 150k+ band, a 20.2-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 19.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 12.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 5.7% | 195 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.8% | 164 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.8% | 95 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.7% | 94 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.6% | 89 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.0% | 35 |
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 | 140 |
| 2 | Washers | 54 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 54 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 52 |
| 5 | Wipers | 49 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 44 |
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 | 19.6% | 676 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.2% | 560 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.7% | 542 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 5.9% | 204 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.4% | 187 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.0% | 174 |
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 | 232 | 10.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,370 | 12.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,216 | 17.0% |
| 90-120k | 444 | 16.4% |
| 120-150k | 92 | 19.6% |
| 150k+ | 95 | 30.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 676 | 12.3% |
| 2022 | 673 | 13.8% |
| 2023 | 705 | 15.7% |
| 2024 | 686 | 15.9% |
| 2025 | 709 | 17.2% |
What to check before buying a 2013 California
On a 2013 California, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (5.7% 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.
- Tyres (4.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (2.8% 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 Volkswagen Californias pass their MOT?
85.0% of the 3,449 2013 Volkswagen California MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Volkswagen California?
Suspension, recorded in 5.7% of tests, followed by tyres (4.8%).
Does the 2013 California get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.3% in the 0-30k band to 30.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,449 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.