2013 Volkswagen T-Porter — MOT failures & pass rate
660 MOT tests on the 2013 Volkswagen T-Porter are in this dataset, and 81.2% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 20.0% of the time, so this is 1.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.6%) and suspension (7.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are washers, brake pads and registration plate lamp(s) — washers alone was recorded 24 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2013 T-Porter fails 17.0% of the time in the 30-60k band and 20.7% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.8 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 21.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.6% | 50 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.3% | 48 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.5% | 43 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.5% | 30 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.1% | 27 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.0% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 24 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 22 |
| 3 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 20 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 18 |
| 5 | Joints | 14 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 14 |
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 | 21.2% | 140 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.6% | 136 |
| 3 | Suspension | 19.4% | 128 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 93 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.9% | 59 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 35 |
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 | 59 | 17.0% |
| 60-90k | 132 | 14.4% |
| 90-120k | 189 | 20.1% |
| 120-150k | 108 | 21.3% |
| 150k+ | 164 | 20.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 139 | 20.9% |
| 2022 | 133 | 20.3% |
| 2023 | 131 | 14.5% |
| 2024 | 128 | 18.0% |
| 2025 | 129 | 20.2% |
What to check before buying a 2013 T-Porter
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 7.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (7.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.3% 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.
- Brakes (6.5% 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 Volkswagen T-Porters pass their MOT?
81.2% of the 660 2013 Volkswagen T-Porter MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Volkswagen T-Porter?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.6% of tests, followed by suspension (7.3%).
Does the 2013 T-Porter get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.0% in the 30-60k band to 20.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 660 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.