What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Chevrolet TRAX.
The Chevrolet TRAX occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Chevrolet TRAX 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 TRAX? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
T300 (2013–2021) — Petrol options included the 1.4 Petrol, 1.6 Petrol, with 1.7 CDTI on the diesel side. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 2 classified as significant. The most significant concern is CV joint boot failure (£80–£150 to address).
The rubber boots protecting the CV joints on the driveshafts fail prematurely on the Trax, allowing dirt and moisture to contaminate the joint grease. Once the boot splits, the CV joint rapidly wears and develops clicking noises on lock, eventually leading to joint failure and loss of drive.
A failed CV joint boot leads to rapid joint wear once dirt enters the assembly. Complete joint failure results in loss of drive to one wheel and requires roadside recovery. Replacement involves a new driveshaft assembly. Early detection and boot replacement costs significantly less than full joint replacement.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
The front coil springs on the Trax are prone to fracturing, with MOT data showing failures at 39.1 times the national average. The springs can crack near the end coils or at stress concentration points, leading to a sudden loss of ride height and potential tyre damage from the broken spring end. This is a safety-critical failure that requires immediate attention.
A broken coil spring creates an immediate safety risk through loss of vehicle control and potential tyre damage. The sharp end of a fractured spring can puncture the tyre or damage other suspension components. The car should not be driven with a suspected broken spring.
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.
The front suspension bushes on the Trax wear prematurely, with MOT data showing failures at 39.1 times the national average. The rubber bushes in the control arms and anti-roll bar links deteriorate, causing excessive play in the suspension geometry. This affects handling precision and can accelerate tyre wear if left unaddressed.
Worn suspension bushes reduce handling precision and can cause premature tyre wear through altered wheel alignment. The car remains safe to drive but handling becomes progressively worse. Multiple bushes often need replacement together as they tend to wear at similar rates.
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.
The exhaust system on petrol Trax models corrodes prematurely, particularly affecting 1.4-litre variants. MOT data shows exhaust failures at 20.0 times the national average, concentrated in the 40,000-80,000 mile range. The mild steel construction and positioning make the system vulnerable to corrosion from road salt and moisture retention.
Exhaust leaks can allow dangerous fumes to enter the cabin and will cause an MOT failure. Small holes can be temporarily repaired with exhaust paste, but section replacement is usually required. Complete system replacement may be needed on severely corroded examples.
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.
The leaks commonly originate from the rocker cover gasket, oil filter housing, or front crankshaft seal. While not immediately dangerous, significant leaks can cause environmental contamination and mask other developing problems.
Minor oil leaks cause gradual oil loss requiring more frequent top-ups and can contaminate other components. Significant leaks pose an environmental hazard and will cause MOT failure. Oil dripping onto exhaust components creates fire risk and unpleasant smoke.
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.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Chevrolet TRAX common problems page.
Based on 8k real DVSA MOT tests, the Chevrolet TRAX fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe... at 23x the fleet average, followed by suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (15x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Chevrolet TRAX MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Chevrolet TRAX service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Chevrolet TRAX 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.
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 TRAX, 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 TRAX issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.