Used car guide

2013 Toyota Aqua: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Toyota Aquas, from 244 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 244 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

244MOT tests in 2025
79%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
4,800typical miles a year
22%had lights and electrics flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2013 Toyota Aqua MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    22% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    18% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    17% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    6% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    1% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Toyota Aqua?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2014208Lights and electrics 11%
2012273Lights and electrics 25%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Toyota Aquas registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score