2013 Volkswagen Eos — MOT failures & pass rate
2,696 MOT tests on the 2013 Volkswagen Eos are in this dataset, and 83.4% of them passed. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (14.7% fail rate), the 2013 Eos comes out 2.0pp worse. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (7.9%) and suspension (6.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, tread depth and brake pads — coil spring alone was recorded 156 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 20.7% versus 10.4%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 28.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 14.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.9% | 212 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.9% | 187 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 92 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.9% | 79 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.3% | 36 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 20 |
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 | 156 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 61 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 38 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 37 |
| 5 | Wipers | 36 |
| 6 | Side repeaters | 31 |
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 | 28.3% | 764 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.8% | 561 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.0% | 459 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.6% | 151 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.0% | 134 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 50 |
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 | 249 | 10.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,035 | 14.6% |
| 60-90k | 895 | 18.8% |
| 90-120k | 365 | 19.7% |
| 120-150k | 94 | 21.3% |
| 150k+ | 58 | 20.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,253 | 17.2% |
| Petrol | 443 | 13.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 536 | 14.4% |
| 2022 | 545 | 15.6% |
| 2023 | 554 | 18.2% |
| 2024 | 534 | 18.2% |
| 2025 | 527 | 16.9% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Eos
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 7.9% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (7.9% 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.
- Suspension (6.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (3.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 Volkswagen Eoss pass their MOT?
83.4% of the 2,696 2013 Volkswagen Eos MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Volkswagen Eos?
Tyres, recorded in 7.9% of tests, followed by suspension (6.9%).
Does the 2013 Eos get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.4% in the 0-30k band to 20.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,696 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.