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Chevrolet Cruze car check

Find out if a Cruze has outstanding finance, has been written off or stolen, how many owners it’s had, and which known problems apply to the generation you’re looking at.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. Results in under a minute.

Typical price
£3,2335 at dealers
MOT failure rate
26%26k tests
Known problems
5across J300
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which Cruze are you looking at?

Each Cruze generation has its own weak spots. Here are the known problems.

  1. Power steering fluid leak

    Wear item J300

    The hydraulic power steering system on 1.6L and 1.8L petrol Cruze models experiences fluid leaks at a rate 21.5 times higher than the national fleet average. The leak typically originates from the power steering pump seals, high-pressure lines, or steering rack seals. This is a well-documented weakness on the J300 generation, with failure rates increasing significantly after 40,000 miles and continuing to worsen across all mileage bands.

    What to check: Check the power steering fluid reservoir (located near the brake master cylinder) for fluid level and condition. Low level indicates a leak somewhere in the system. Examine the fluid colour - it should be clear or amber. Dark, burnt-smelling fluid indicates overheating from low levels. Look under...

  2. Coil spring fracture

    Wear item J300

    Coil spring fracture affects all engine variants of the J300 Cruze at 8.1 times the national fleet average, with early failures documented from as low as 20,000 miles. The springs are prone to cracking and breaking, particularly the fronts, due to material quality issues and UK road conditions. This is a significant safety defect that can cause sudden loss of suspension support and potential tyre damage from broken spring coils.

    What to check: Walk around the car and check for uneven ride height - a dropped corner indicates a broken spring. Look for any protruding metal pieces near the wheels or signs that spring coils have dropped out of position. Check all four tyres for unusual wear patterns, particularly uneven tread wear on one ed...

  3. Brake binding and disc warping

    Safety and MOT risk J300

    Brake binding occurs on 1.6L petrol Cruze models at 4.5 times the fleet average, primarily in the 20,000-40,000 mile range. The brake calipers are prone to seizure from corrosion in the sliding mechanism, causing constant pad contact with discs. This leads to rapid brake disc warping, excessive pad wear, and overheating. The issue appears related to inadequate corrosion protection on caliper slide pins and bushes.

    What to check: Check all brake discs visually for scoring, heat discolouration (blue or purple tinting), or obvious warping. Spin each wheel by hand - they should turn freely without resistance or grinding noises from brake contact. Look for excessive brake dust accumulation on wheels, particularly if one wheel...

  4. Exhaust system corrosion and mounting failure

    Wear item J300

    Exhaust system failures on 1.6L and 1.8L petrol Cruze models occur at 7.3 times the fleet average, affecting all mileage bands from 20,000 miles upwards. The exhaust suffers from premature corrosion of the rear silencer and mid-section, plus failure of rubber mounting points. UK climate and road salt accelerate the corrosion process on these systems which appear to use thinner steel than typical.

    What to check: Walk to the rear of the car and visually inspect the exhaust tailpipe for rust, holes, or white powdery deposits around joints. Look underneath the car (safely, with good lighting) for hanging or damaged exhaust sections, particularly around the rear axle area. Check exhaust mounting points for p...

  5. Engine management light and emissions system faults

    Engine damage risk J300

    Persistent engine management light (MIL) illumination affects 1.6L and 1.8L petrol Cruze models at 6 times the national average across all mileage bands. Common triggers include lambda sensor degradation, carbon canister purge valve issues, and catalytic converter efficiency codes. The ECOTEC engines are sensitive to fuel quality and carbon buildup which affects emissions sensors and can trigger false fault codes.

    What to check: Turn the ignition to position II (engine off) and check whether the engine management light illuminates on the dashboard - it should light briefly then extinguish. Ask the seller whether the light has been on permanently or intermittently, and whether any diagnostic scanning has been performed. C...

What Cruzes cost at dealers now

From 5 used Cruzes we track on UK dealer websites.

Typical asking price
£3,233
Typical mileage
85,767 miles
Price change vs last month
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Cruze MOT results

26%

of Cruze MOT tests end in a fail, from 25,742 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Emissions failureExhaust & Emissions
  2. Seat mounting faultSeatbelts & Airbags
  3. Coil springs brokenSuspension

Check the Cruze you’re buying

One report covers outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and previous owners from Experian, plus MOT history, mileage and the known problems for its generation.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian.

What the check includes

Cruze questions

Is the Chevrolet Cruze reliable?

26% of Cruze models fail their MOT based on 25,742 tests analysed. That’s below average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being power steering fluid leak. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.

What are the main problems with a Chevrolet Cruze?

The most serious known issues are power steering fluid leak, coil spring fracture, brake binding and disc warping. Our car check flags whether a specific Cruze has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Chevrolet Cruze has outstanding finance?

Enter the registration on this page. We query Experian’s finance database and return any outstanding agreements within a minute. If finance is still owed, the finance company can legally repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller. At £7.49 it’s the cheapest way to avoid a car that isn’t legally for sale.

How do I check if a Chevrolet Cruze has been written off?

Our check queries Experian’s insurance write-off database for Cat A, B, S and N markers. A Cat S or N Cruze has been structurally or non-structurally damaged and repaired. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it affects resale value and some insurers won’t cover it. The check costs £7.49.

Can I check a Chevrolet Cruze for free?

You can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, which shows past test results and advisories. What it won’t show is outstanding finance, write-offs or theft markers, which are the things that actually cost you money after you’ve bought. Our full check adds all of that for £7.49, using Experian data.

Is a Chevrolet Cruze HPI check worth it?

HPI is one brand of car check. Our check uses the same Experian data covering finance, stolen, write-off and keeper history, plus MOT analysis and known Cruze faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.

What does a Chevrolet Cruze fail its MOT on?

The most common MOT failure on the Cruze is emissions failure. 26% of Cruze models fail overall, based on 25,742 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

More on the Cruze

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Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.