Most Reliable Chevrolet Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 64,975 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Chevrolet models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
64,975 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Chevrolet model from 2000-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Chevrolet TRAX
68.3% pass rate
Best Single Year
CRUZE 2011 Petrol
62.6% pass rate
Chevrolet vs National Average
54.4% vs 71.5%
-17.1% below average
Durability Champion
N/A
N/A
Chevrolet has built its reputation on reliability, but does the data back it up? We analysed 64,975 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find out exactly which Chevrolet models live up to the hype and which ones fall short.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering every Chevrolet model sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Chevrolet Compares to Rivals
Chevrolet ranks #74 out of 75 manufacturers with a 54.4% average MOT pass rate. That's below the national average of 71.5%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 74.0% | #31 | 1,606,300 |
| Volkswagen | 72.2% | #43 | 2,967,545 |
| Nissan | 68.7% | #50 | 1,612,552 |
| Ford | 68.5% | #51 | 4,432,652 |
| Vauxhall | 65.4% | #59 | 3,038,498 |
| Chevrolet | 54.4% | #74 | 64,975 |
The verdict: Toyota maintains a lead among competitors, while Chevrolet sits at #74. However, newer Chevrolet models significantly outperform this average.
Best Chevrolet Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Chevrolet's core models rank against the 71.5% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.5%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRAX | 68.3% | -3.2% | 1,513 | 2013-2014 |
| CRUZE | 60.3% | -11.3% | 5,453 | 2009-2014 |
| ORLANDO | 58.8% | -12.7% | 4,312 | 2011-2014 |
| SPARK | 55.4% | -16.1% | 15,760 | 2010-2014 |
| CAPTIVA | 53.2% | -18.3% | 7,078 | 2007-2014 |
| MATIZ | 51.3% | -20.2% | 12,053 | 2005-2010 |
| AVEO | 49.6% | -21.9% | 9,982 | 2008-2014 |
| KALOS | 47.3% | -24.2% | 3,192 | 2005-2008 |
| LACETTI | 47.1% | -24.4% | 2,715 | 2005-2011 |
Proven Durability Champions: Which Chevrolet Models Age Best?
These Chevrolet models have proven their durability with 11+ years of real-world MOT data. They're compared against the national average for cars of the same age:
High-confidence data: Only vehicles with 11+ years of MOT history and 500+ tests are included in this ranking.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age. These are proven results from vehicles that have genuinely aged well.
Chevrolet SPARK: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The SPARK has 15,760 tests in our database with an overall 55.4% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Petrol | 58.7% | -13.0% | 784 |
| 2013 | Petrol | 55.0% | -13.3% | 3,962 |
| 2012 | Petrol | 54.3% | -11.4% | 3,785 |
| 2011 | Petrol | 54.5% | -8.4% | 3,881 |
| 2010 | Petrol | 57.3% | -3.2% | 3,348 |
| ... | ||||
| 2014 | Petrol | 58.7% | -13.0% | 784 |
| 2013 | Petrol | 55.0% | -13.3% | 3,962 |
| 2012 | Petrol | 54.3% | -11.4% | 3,785 |
SPARK verdict: Avoid the 2014 petrol (58.7%).
Avoid early SPARK models
The 2014 petrol SPARK has a 58.7% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Chevrolet MATIZ: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The MATIZ has 12,053 tests in our database with an overall 51.3% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Petrol | 53.3% | -7.2% | 981 |
| 2009 | Petrol | 53.7% | -5.3% | 3,911 |
| 2008 | Petrol | 52.2% | -5.2% | 2,534 |
| 2007 | Petrol | 49.4% | -7.6% | 2,431 |
| 2006 | Petrol | 48.5% | -7.7% | 1,463 |
| 2005 | Petrol | 45.4% | -10.8% | 733 |
| ... | ||||
| 2010 | Petrol | 53.3% | -7.2% | 981 |
| 2009 | Petrol | 53.7% | -5.3% | 3,911 |
| 2008 | Petrol | 52.2% | -5.2% | 2,534 |
MATIZ verdict: Avoid the 2010 petrol (53.3%).
Avoid early MATIZ models
The 2010 petrol MATIZ has a 53.3% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Chevrolet Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Chevrolet's fuel type comparison shows clear differences in reliability:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 54.7% | -16.8% | 12,106 |
| Petrol | 53.3% | -18.2% | 50,232 |
Chevrolet Models to Avoid
Not all Chevrolets are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KALOS | 2005 | Petrol | 42.5% (-17.4% vs same-age) | 579 |
| AVEO | 2010 | Petrol | 47.1% (-16.2% vs same-age) | 1,523 |
| SPARK | 2013 | Petrol | 55.0% (-16.3% vs same-age) | 3,962 |
| SPARK | 2014 | Petrol | 58.7% (-15.1% vs same-age) | 784 |
| AVEO | 2009 | Petrol | 46.1% | 3,352 |
| AVEO | 2008 | Petrol | 45.5% (-14.4% vs same-age) | 891 |
| SPARK | 2012 | Petrol | 54.3% (-14.3% vs same-age) | 3,785 |
| AVEO | 2011 | Petrol | 51.6% (-14.9% vs same-age) | 1,210 |
| CAPTIVA | 2010 | Diesel | 49.5% (-14.3% vs same-age) | 1,816 |
| MATIZ | 2005 | Petrol | 45.4% (-14.4% vs same-age) | 733 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2008-2011 petrol AVEOs, 2012-2014 petrol SPARKs are the models that drag down Chevrolet's average. The AVEO 2010 performs 16% worse than the average car of the same age at 11-12 years - this is proven poor durability. These vehicles fail MOTs more often than they pass.
What Goes Wrong on Chevrolets?
When Chevrolets fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 13,460 |
| 2. Suspension | 11,119 |
| 3. Brakes | 9,820 |
| 4. Visibility | 5,354 |
| 5. Tyres | 4,922 |
| 6. Body, chassis, structure | 4,290 |
| 7. Noise, emissions and leaks | 3,935 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Chevrolet owners:
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition
- Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- Limited data for recent models
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- Limited proven durability data available
Chevrolet Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- AVEO 2008-2011: -12% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 11-12 years)
- KALOS 2005: -15% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 13+ years)
- CAPTIVA 2010: -14% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 11-12 years)
- MATIZ 2005: -12% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 13+ years)
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 64,975 tests on Chevrolet vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 500 tests for proven durability rankings, 1,000 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.51% based on 32.3 million tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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