Ranked by MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, 3 to 15 years old

Chevrolet models ranked by MOT fails

Q: Which Chevrolet models have the fewest MOT fails?

4,140 MOT tests at 9 to 11 years put the Chevrolet Trax first: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.08). Next is the Chevrolet Orlando: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.15).

Q: Which Chevrolet models fail their MOT most often?

33,168 MOT tests at 9 to 15 years put the Chevrolet Aveo last of the 8 in this list: 45% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

Q: How many Chevrolet models are compared?

8 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each age counted, 180,791 MOT tests in all; 0 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 4 at least 20% more often.

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 180,791 MOT tests · Updated 7 Oct 2026

Chevrolet Trax has the fewest MOT fails among Chevrolet models: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.08) (4,140 MOT tests) ^[1].

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8 models ranked, 0 with at least 20% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (95% interval, at 3 or more ages), from 180,791 MOT tests ^[1]
Chevrolet Orlando is next: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.15) (13,718 MOT tests)
Chevrolet Aveo is last of the 8: 45% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (33,168 MOT tests)

Which year and engine a car has, and how it was kept, decide where one car sits in these ranges. Check the reg first.

Fail rates are for the model across its MOT tests, never a forecast for one car.

No model in this list clears the award rule (at least 20% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage, with the 95% interval, at 3 or more ages).

This is DVSA MOT data, not road tests, owner surveys or breakdown records, and nobody paid to be included. Each model is compared with all cars tested at the same age, in the same mileage band and in its own mix of test years, so a low-mileage model does not look better for its low mileage. "Most reliable" in our titles is measured as MOT failure rate at the same age and mileage, not breakdowns.

Chevrolet models: the ranking

Ranked by MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, from 8 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each of 3 or more ages between 3 to 15 years (pooled). The range under each rank is where the model could sit once sampling error is allowed for. Each adjusted rate reads against its own all-car rate, because models are tested at different ages.

Top 8 of 8. Adjusted rate = the model's rate at typical mileage for its own ages, against all cars at those ages; raw = its own ages and mileage.
#95% range	Model	Against cars the same age and mileage	Adjusted rateits own ages, typical mileage	Rawits own ages and mileage	MOT tests	Next step
1certain	Chevrolet Traxsmall SUV	close to averageratio 1.08 (1.03–1.12)	32.7%all cars: 30.3%	33.6%	4,140at 9 to 11 years	Chevrolet Trax common problems
22–3	Chevrolet OrlandoMPV	close to averageratio 1.15 (1.13–1.17)	39.4%all cars: 34.3%	41.2%	13,718at 10 to 13 years	Chevrolet Orlando common problems
32–3	Chevrolet Cruzefamily hatchback	close to averageratio 1.16 (1.14–1.18)	39.9%all cars: 34.3%	39.9%	19,280at 9 to 14 years	Chevrolet Cruze common problems
4certain	Chevrolet Captivafamily SUV	close to averageratio 1.21 (1.20–1.23)	44.5%all cars: 36.7%	47.3%	23,639at 9 to 15 years	Chevrolet Captiva MOT fail rate · Chevrolet Captiva common problems
5certain	Chevrolet Lacettifamily hatchback	34% more fails (30–37% more)	54.8%all cars: 41.0%	51.6%	4,431at 13 to 15 years	Chevrolet Lacetti common problems
6certain	Chevrolet Sparkcity car	39% more fails (38–41% more)	48.7%all cars: 34.9%	44.8%	59,057at 9 to 15 years	Chevrolet Spark MOT fail rate · Chevrolet Spark common problems
77–8	Chevrolet Matizcity car	43% more fails (41–45% more)	58.3%all cars: 40.8%	46.8%	23,358at 12 to 15 years	Chevrolet Matiz MOT fail rate · Chevrolet Matiz common problems
87–8	Chevrolet Aveosupermini	45% more fails (44–47% more)	54.0%all cars: 37.2%	49.8%	33,168at 9 to 15 years	Chevrolet Aveo MOT fail rate · Chevrolet Aveo common problems

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The top 8 in this list, model by model

1 · About average

Chevrolet Trax

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.08, 95% CI 1.03–1.12), from 4,140 MOT tests at 9 to 11 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 32.7% (31.3%–34.1%), against 30.3% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 33.6%. Rank range 1–1.

Check before you buy: fails on suspension 1.6–1.9× as often as cars the same age (744 fails in 4,514 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a small SUV; the ones tested were 56% petrol, 44% diesel.

2 · About average

Chevrolet Orlando

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.15, 95% CI 1.13–1.17), from 13,718 MOT tests at 10 to 13 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 39.4% (38.6%–40.2%), against 34.3% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 41.2%. Rank range 2–3.

Check before you buy: fails on emissions and leaks 2.6–2.9× as often as cars the same age (1,483 fails in 16,212 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on lights and electrics 1.4–1.5× as often as cars the same age (3,111 fails in 16,212 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on visibility 1.3–1.5× as often as cars the same age (1,067 fails in 16,212 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at an MPV; the ones tested were 54% diesel, 46% petrol.

3 · About average

Chevrolet Cruze

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.16, 95% CI 1.14–1.18), from 19,280 MOT tests at 9 to 14 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 39.9% (39.2%–40.6%), against 34.3% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 39.9%. Rank range 2–3.

Check before you buy: fails on emissions and leaks 2.1–2.3× as often as cars the same age (1,473 fails in 19,837 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on visibility 1.4–1.6× as often as cars the same age (1,408 fails in 19,837 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on lights and electrics 1.2–1.3× as often as cars the same age (3,441 fails in 19,837 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a family hatchback; the ones tested were 74% petrol, 26% diesel.

4 · About average

Chevrolet Captiva

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.21, 95% CI 1.20–1.23), from 23,639 MOT tests at 9 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 44.5% (43.9%–45.1%), against 36.7% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 47.3%. Rank range 4–4.

Check before you buy: fails on seat belts and airbags 2.8–3.2× as often as cars the same age (759 fails in 24,262 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on body and structure 2.1–2.2× as often as cars the same age (2,228 fails in 24,262 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on brakes 1.9–2.0× as often as cars the same age (3,924 fails in 24,262 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a family SUV; the ones tested were mostly diesel.

5 · 34% more MOT fails

Chevrolet Lacetti

Why it ranks here: 34% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 1.34, 95% CI 1.30–1.37), from 4,431 MOT tests at 13 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 54.8% (53.2%–56.4%), against 41.0% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 51.6%. Rank range 5–5.

Check before you buy: fails on brakes 2.2–2.4× as often as cars the same age (1,085 fails in 4,893 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on lights and electrics 1.4–1.6× as often as cars the same age (1,322 fails in 4,893 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on visibility 1.4–1.7× as often as cars the same age (447 fails in 4,893 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a family hatchback; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

6 · 39% more MOT fails

Chevrolet Spark

Why it ranks here: 39% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 1.39, 95% CI 1.38–1.41), from 59,057 MOT tests at 9 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 48.7% (48.3%–49.1%), against 34.9% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 44.8%. Rank range 6–6.

Check before you buy: fails on brakes 2.2–2.3× as often as cars the same age (10,261 fails in 59,796 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on visibility 1.7–1.8× as often as cars the same age (5,048 fails in 59,796 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on lights and electrics 1.57–1.62× as often as cars the same age (13,442 fails in 59,796 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a city car; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

7 · 43% more MOT fails

Chevrolet Matiz

Why it ranks here: 43% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 1.43, 95% CI 1.41–1.45), from 23,358 MOT tests at 12 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 58.3% (57.5%–59.1%), against 40.8% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 46.8%. Rank range 7–8.

Check before you buy: fails on brakes 1.7–1.8× as often as cars the same age (4,038 fails in 23,783 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on visibility 1.4–1.6× as often as cars the same age (2,112 fails in 23,783 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on body and structure 1.3–1.4× as often as cars the same age (1,771 fails in 23,783 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a city car; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

8 · 45% more MOT fails

Chevrolet Aveo

Why it ranks here: 45% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 1.45, 95% CI 1.44–1.47), from 33,168 MOT tests at 9 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 54.0% (53.4%–54.6%), against 37.2% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 49.8%. Rank range 7–8.

Check before you buy: fails on steering 3.2–3.4× as often as cars the same age (2,946 fails in 33,814 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on seat belts and airbags 2.2–2.6× as often as cars the same age (869 fails in 33,814 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on suspension 1.7–1.8× as often as cars the same age (8,219 fails in 33,814 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a supermini; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

How to choose Chevrolet models with this list

Compare like with like: against cars the same age and mileage, this list runs from about average (Chevrolet Trax) to 45% more (Chevrolet Aveo).
0 of the 8 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 4 at least 20% more often; the other 4 are within that band, or too uncertain to say.
Look at what a model fails on: 8 of the 8 models above have a part that fails more often than on cars the same age.
Then check the one car: its own MOT history and advisories say more about it than its model's average.

Found one on the list? Check that car

A ranking compares models at the same age and mileage; it cannot say how one car was kept. A registration shows that car's own DVSA record: its MOT tests, the mileage at each test and the recall flag.

Free car check by registration The MOT record, the mileage readings and the recall flag in one overview, with how the model does at its MOT.
Check any car's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
Mileage check by registration The odometer reading from each MOT, with drops, jumps and long gaps flagged.

How we rank

180,791 MOT tests from 2022–2025 of cars 3 to 15 years old. For each model and age, the tests are split into 6 mileage bands (<30k, 30-60k, 60-90k, 90-120k, 120-150k, 150k+); the expected fails are what all cars of that age would fail in the same bands, corrected to the model's own mix of test years. The ratio of the model's fails to the expected fails sets its place. The adjusted rate is that ratio times the all-car rate at the model's own ages, so it reads against that rate: a model tested only at 3 to 5 years is compared with young cars, not with this list's average.

The 95% intervals cover sampling error only (Wilson intervals). A model is called fewer or more only when its interval is at least 20% from the all-car rate, overall and at 3 or more ages ("close to average" when the interval excludes the all-car rate by less); awards use the same rule. Test years: Each model's expected fails therefore use its own mix of test years 2022–2025, age by age; the mileage bands themselves pool the four years, which can leave a small bias in favour of models first sold late in the window. Generations of a model are pooled unless the data splits them; each row says which years it covers. How we compare

Limitation: MOT tests record roadworthiness defects on the test day. They do not record breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs, and they cannot separate design from upkeep: a model whose owners service it before every MOT looks better here. Only cars still on the road are tested.

More lists

Questions people ask

Which Chevrolet models have the fewest MOT fails?

4,140 MOT tests at 9 to 11 years put the Chevrolet Trax first: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.08). Next is the Chevrolet Orlando: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.15).

Which Chevrolet models fail their MOT most often?

33,168 MOT tests at 9 to 15 years put the Chevrolet Aveo last of the 8 in this list: 45% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

How many Chevrolet models are compared?

8 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each age counted, 180,791 MOT tests in all; 0 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 4 at least 20% more often.

Sources

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 180,791 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.