Used car guide

2013 Vauxhall Ampera: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Vauxhall Amperas, from 209 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 209 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

209MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
8,500typical miles a year
4.9×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Vauxhall Amperas than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints4.9× usual
    Vauxhall Ampera
    16.3% All 2013 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 1.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

By area

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

  • Tyres
    37% 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
    25% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    17% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Suspension
    16% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    8% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2014458Tyres 33%
2012383Tyres 32%

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