Chevrolet reliability and common MOT problems by model
Chevrolet shows a 28.3% combined MOT failure rate across 83,744 tests in MOTIntel data. Cruze has one of the lower high-confidence rates at 23.5%. Aveo deserves extra checking at 30.8%.
Statistics are built from DVSA MOT tests carried out in calendar year 2023, plus official recall records and MOT fault wording data. Report index generated 2026-05-09.
Chevrolet combined failure rate: 28.3% — all-model average is 18.7%. Ranked #48 of 48 makes by failure rate (1 = lowest). Raw rates reflect each make's fleet age mix — newer fleets naturally fail less.
Cruze (23.5%), Orlando (24.9%), Spark (26.2%), Captiva (29.3%), Matiz (30.1%)
Aveo (30.8%), Matiz (30.1%), Captiva (29.3%), Spark (26.2%), Orlando (24.9%)
Most reliable Chevrolet models in MOT data
| # | Model | MOT failure rate | Tests | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chevrolet Cruze | 23.5% | 7,238 tests | 5,393 vehicles |
| 2 | Chevrolet Orlando | 24.9% | 5,615 tests | 4,106 vehicles |
| 3 | Chevrolet Spark | 26.2% | 20,894 tests | 15,066 vehicles |
| 4 | Chevrolet Captiva | 29.3% | 9,674 tests | 6,703 vehicles |
| 5 | Chevrolet Matiz | 30.1% | 16,349 tests | 11,474 vehicles |
Chevrolet models with the highest MOT failure rates
| # | Model | MOT failure rate | Tests | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chevrolet Aveo | 30.8% | 13,906 tests | 9,596 vehicles |
| 2 | Chevrolet Matiz | 30.1% | 16,349 tests | 11,474 vehicles |
| 3 | Chevrolet Captiva | 29.3% | 9,674 tests | 6,703 vehicles |
| 4 | Chevrolet Spark | 26.2% | 20,894 tests | 15,066 vehicles |
| 5 | Chevrolet Orlando | 24.9% | 5,615 tests | 4,106 vehicles |
Common Chevrolet MOT problem areas
| # | Problem area | MOT notes | Models affected | What to check | High-rate examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corrosion and structure | 37,648 MOT notes | 6 models | Inspect sills, subframes, suspension mounts, brake pipes, and previous welding or rust repairs. | Chevrolet Matiz, Chevrolet Spark, Chevrolet Aveo |
| 2 | Emissions, engine, and exhaust | 18,186 MOT notes | 6 models | Check cold starts, exhaust smoke, warning lights, service history, and recent emissions repairs. | Chevrolet Captiva, Chevrolet Orlando, Chevrolet Aveo |
| 3 | Suspension and steering | 16,479 MOT notes | 6 models | Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and ask whether worn joints or bushes have been replaced. | Chevrolet Aveo, Chevrolet Matiz, Chevrolet Captiva |
| 4 | Lights and electrical | 13,396 MOT notes | 6 models | Test every exterior light, warning lamp, horn, washer, and basic electrical function before buying. | Chevrolet Captiva, Chevrolet Matiz, Chevrolet Aveo |
| 5 | Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors | 6,877 MOT notes | 6 models | Check the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, chips, cracks, and whether the driver's view is clear. | Chevrolet Aveo, Chevrolet Captiva, Chevrolet Matiz |
| 6 | Tyres and wheels | 1,682 MOT notes | 6 models | Look for matching tyres, legal tread, sidewall damage, wheel damage, and uneven wear. | Chevrolet Captiva, Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Orlando |
All Chevrolet model reports
| Model | MOT tests | Vehicles | Failure rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spark | 20,894 | 15,066 | 26.2% |
| Matiz | 16,349 | 11,474 | 30.1% |
| Aveo | 13,906 | 9,596 | 30.8% |
| Captiva | 9,674 | 6,703 | 29.3% |
| Cruze | 7,238 | 5,393 | 23.5% |
| Orlando | 5,615 | 4,106 | 24.9% |
| Kalos limited data | 4,426 | 3,024 | 32.6% |
| Lacetti limited data | 3,721 | 2,602 | 32.3% |
| Trax limited data | 1,921 | 1,482 | 21.1% |
Models with limited data (fewer than 20,000 tests or 10,000 vehicles) have full reports but are not indexed in search engines until the evidence threshold is met.