Small car · 2007–2015 cars
Chevrolet Aveo reliability
The Chevrolet Aveo fails 50.6% of first MOT tests, 51% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 32,552 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Chevrolet Aveo before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 50.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 51% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 32,552
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,300
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Chevrolet Aveo ages
Each point is the share of Chevrolet Aveos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Chevrolet Aveo | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 39.4% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 42.1% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 45.1% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 47.1% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 51% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 54.5% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 55.1% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 55.3% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 56.2% | 42.9% |
By year
The best and worst Chevrolet Aveo years
2012 cars come out best and 2011 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 395 | 38% | 54% more fails | 56,030 |
| 2013 Aveo | 4,393 | 43.2% | 52% more fails | 62,998 |
| 2012 Aveo | 5,062 | 45.9% | 48% more fails | 68,472 |
| 2011 Aveo | 4,067 | 49% | 54% more fails | 62,857 |
| 2010 Aveo | 4,887 | 52.5% | 53% more fails | 67,908 |
| 2009 Aveo | 10,836 | 54.7% | 51% more fails | 69,301 |
| 2008 Aveo | 2,906 | 55.6% | 49% more fails | 70,073 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Chevrolet Aveo
Its weak spot is steering: 320% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension24.5%107% above avg
- Lights and electrics21.7%57% above avg
- Brakes15%98% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors9.4%79% above avg
- Steering9.1%320% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure7.6%86% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.6%120% above avg
- Tyres7.6%21% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags2.8%195% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 7.64% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 6.29% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 6.15% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 4
Stop lamp not working 4.81% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 5
Coil spring fractured or broken 4% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 6
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 3.93% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 7
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.83% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 8
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.37% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Chevrolet Aveo's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit16.86%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear12.66%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy12.11%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive10.68%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking10.17%
- Exhaust has minor gas leak7.99%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Chevrolet Aveo
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 4
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Chevrolet Aveo covers about 6,300 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol92.6%
- Diesel7.4%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Silver, Blue, Black, Grey, Red
Average engine size: 1.3 litres.
Compare
How the Chevrolet Aveo compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Audi A2 | 43.5% | about average for its age |
| Fiat Grande Punto | 45% | 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Wagon-R+ | 44.6% | 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Tigra | 48.1% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Modus | 49.6% | 32% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Aveo | 50.6% | 51% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Zoe | 26.5% | 76% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Chevrolet models.
Questions
Chevrolet Aveo questions, answered
Is the Chevrolet Aveo reliable?
On MOT results, the Chevrolet Aveo is well below average: it fails 50.6% of first MOT tests, 51% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 60 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Chevrolet Aveo MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Chevrolet Aveo are position lamp not working (7.64% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (6.29% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (6.15% of tests). By area, suspension fails 24.5% of its tests.
Which Chevrolet Aveo year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2012 cars do best (48% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2011 cars do worst (54% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Chevrolet Aveo do a year?
A typical Chevrolet Aveo covers about 6,300 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Chevrolet Aveo before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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