Small SUV · 2013–2019 cars
Chevrolet Trax reliability
The Chevrolet Trax fails 32.7% of first MOT tests, 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 5,008 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Chevrolet Trax before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 32.7%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 13% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 5,008
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,800
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Chevrolet Trax ages
Each point is the share of Chevrolet Traxs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Chevrolet Trax | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 23.1% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 30.7% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 32.4% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 35.4% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 35.5% | 34.6% |
By year
The best and worst Chevrolet Trax years
2014 cars come out best and 2013 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
Common problems
What fails most on a Chevrolet Trax
Its weak spot is steering: 128% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension15.5%73% above avg
- Lights and electrics9.2%13% below avg
- Brakes6.1%1% below avg
- Tyres5.7%15% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.6%9% above avg
- Steering4.4%128% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.5%37% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.6%42% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1%51% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Ball joint dust cover no longer sealed 6.11% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the joint, speeding wear, so the joint may need replacing later.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.35% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.04% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.74% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.36% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.18% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 7
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 8
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 1.88% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Chevrolet Trax's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit12.4%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking12.22%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive9.82%
- Brake pads wearing thin8.43%
- Brake disc pitted or scored6.97%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear4.89%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Chevrolet Trax
- 1
Ball joint dust cover no longer sealed
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the joint, speeding wear, so the joint may need replacing later.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 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 Trax covers about 7,800 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
- Petrol58.2%
- Diesel41.8%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
White, Blue, Black, Grey, Red
Average engine size: 1.6 litres.
Compare
How the Chevrolet Trax compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lexus UX | 5.8% | 53% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Urban Cruiser | 28.1% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda CX-30 | 8.8% | 23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Subaru XV | 17.8% | 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Kamiq | 10.7% | 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia XCeed | 12.4% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Trax | 32.7% | 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small suv ranked in the small suv reliability index, or all Chevrolet models.
Questions
Chevrolet Trax questions, answered
Is the Chevrolet Trax reliable?
On MOT results, the Chevrolet Trax is below average: it fails 32.7% of first MOT tests, 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 30 of 40 small suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Chevrolet Trax MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Chevrolet Trax are ball joint dust cover no longer sealed (6.11% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (4.35% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (3.04% of tests). By area, suspension fails 15.5% of its tests.
Which Chevrolet Trax year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2014 cars do best (6% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2013 cars do worst (15% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Chevrolet Trax do a year?
A typical Chevrolet Trax covers about 7,800 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 Trax 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.
Found a Chevrolet Trax? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.