Used car guide

2013 Vauxhall Cascada: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Vauxhall Cascadas, from 761 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

761MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
6,200typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

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

  • Coil springs1.8× usual
    Vauxhall Cascada
    16% All 2013 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.5%, against 4% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Engine oil leaks1.9× usual
    Vauxhall Cascada
    11.3% All 2013 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 3.7% here, against 8.7% of all 2013 cars.

By area

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

  • Tyres
    32% 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
    27% 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.

  • Suspension
    25% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    14% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    12% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2016507Tyres 30%
2015555Tyres 30%
2014688Tyres 33%

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