Seven seats, rock-bottom price, surprisingly capable
The Chevrolet Orlando was a budget-friendly seven-seat MPV sold in the UK from 2011 to 2015, positioned well below established rivals like the Ford C-MAX and Citroen C4 Picasso on price. It appealed to cost-conscious families who needed seven seats without the premium price tag. Since Chevrolet withdrew from Europe in 2015, it is now a used-only proposition that offers remarkable value for money.
We track 5 known issues across the Chevrolet Orlando range, with 2 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Chevrolet Orlando? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
T300 (2011–2018) — Petrol options included the 1.8 16v, with 2.0 VCDi on the diesel side. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 2 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Excessive diesel exhaust smoke emissions (£200–£2,500 to address).
The 2.0 VCDi diesel suffers from severe DPF blockage and related emissions failures. MOT data shows smoke opacity failures at 61.7 times the fleet average, with excessive visible smoke at 38.6 times normal rates. The DPF system struggles with UK urban driving patterns and requires frequent active regeneration cycles. This is compounded by poor DPF sensor reliability and inadequate owner education about regeneration requirements.
DPF blockage leads to MOT failure and progressively worsening drivability. Complete DPF replacement costs £1,500-2,500. Continued driving with a blocked DPF can damage the turbocharger and engine due to excessive back-pressure. The vehicle may enter limp mode restricting power and speed.
Ask about the car's typical usage — short urban journeys prevent DPF regeneration. Check for DPF warning lights and ask about any previous regeneration issues. A forced regeneration at a garage costs far less than a DPF replacement.
MOT data shows coil spring failures at 12.3 times the fleet average, affecting both front and rear springs unusually early. The Orlando uses relatively lightweight springs to optimise ride comfort for family use, but these prove inadequate for UK road conditions and loading patterns. Spring fracture typically occurs at the coil ends or mid-span, causing dangerous handling changes and potential tyre damage.
Fractured springs cause dangerous handling deterioration and uneven tyre wear. Sharp spring ends can puncture tyres. The vehicle may fail MOT and become unsafe to drive. Spring replacement typically requires both sides of the same axle to maintain proper suspension geometry.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Common leak points include rocker cover gaskets, sump gasket, and power steering high-pressure lines. The Orlando's engine bay packaging places stress on seals and gaskets, leading to premature deterioration particularly in stop-start urban conditions.
Progressive fluid loss leads to component damage if left unchecked. Engine oil leaks can cause environmental MOT failure and potential engine damage. Power steering leaks result in heavy steering and pump failure. Most leaks are repairable with gasket or seal replacement.
Check the oil level before the engine is started. Ask the seller how often they top up the oil between services. After a test drive, check the level again and look behind the car for blue or grey exhaust smoke under acceleration.
MOT data shows power steering failures at 5.3 times the fleet average on diesel variants. The hydraulic power steering pump and high-pressure lines are stressed by the diesel engine's vibration characteristics and heat cycling. Common failures include pump seal deterioration, pressure line weeping, and reservoir contamination causing system malfunction.
Power steering failure results in heavy steering effort making the vehicle difficult to control at low speeds. Complete pump failure can occur without warning. Replacement involves pump, fluid change, and system bleeding to remove air.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
MOT data shows exhaust system failures at 6.2 times the fleet average on petrol variants. The Orlando's exhaust system uses relatively thin-gauge steel that corrodes rapidly in UK conditions. Common failure points include the centre silencer casing, tailpipe joints, and heat shield mountings. The seven-seat configuration requires a longer exhaust run increasing corrosion exposure.
Exhaust leaks reduce engine efficiency and can allow exhaust gases to enter the cabin. Loose sections can detach creating road hazards. MOT failure occurs when leaks are significant or mounting becomes insecure. Replacement sections are relatively inexpensive but labour-intensive.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Chevrolet Orlando common problems page.
Based on 25k real DVSA MOT tests, the Chevrolet Orlando fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is light unit fault at 183x the fleet average, followed by emissions failure (62x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Chevrolet Orlando MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 13k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Chevrolet Orlando service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Chevrolet Orlando is a reasonable used buy provided you check for the issues outlined above. None of the problems we track are insurmountable, but they do reward buyers who inspect thoroughly and verify the service history before committing. The 2013-2014 models are the best picks, benefiting from minor updates and being the most refined examples before Chevrolet left Europe. Always choose the 2.0 VCDi diesel over the 1.8 petrol. Later cars also tend to have fewer niggles as build quality improved through the production run.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Chevrolet Orlando, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Chevrolet Orlando issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.