Chevrolet Aveo MOT Failures
An analysis of 183,319 real DVSA MOT tests on the Chevrolet Aveo — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: T200 (2008–2011), T300 (2011–2017).
Where the Chevrolet Aveo fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Chevrolet Aveo is abs fault — this model is 316 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 183,319 MOT tests, 2.41% of all Chevrolet Aveo tests recorded this as a failure.
Brake failures on the MOT range from worn pads and discs (routine maintenance) to corroded brake lines and seized calipers (more serious). Check for any pulling under braking and listen for grinding.
Other notable weak points include light unit fault (67x the fleet average), suspension pin, bush or joint worn (54x the fleet average), suspension component damaged or corroded (49x the fleet average), and suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing worn (40x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Chevrolet Aveo's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 6 categories: Brakes, Lights & Electrics, Suspension, Exhaust & Emissions, Seatbelts & Airbags and others. If you're inspecting a Chevrolet Aveo before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Chevrolet Aveo's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Chevrolet Aveo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are light unit fault (67x the average) and suspension pin, bush or joint worn (54x). suspension component damaged or corroded (49x) and brake pipes corroded (48x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Chevrolet Aveo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (48x the average) and seat mounting fault (18x). suspension component damaged or corroded (18x) and suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing worn (17x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Chevrolet Aveo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are power steering fault (23x the average) and suspension pin, bush or joint worn (14x). suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing worn (14x) and emissions failure (9.3x) also appear frequently.
The shift from light unit fault at lower mileages to power steering fault at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Chevrolet Aveo specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Steering ball joint wear and failure Dangerous
The Aveo suffers from premature wear of steering ball joints, particularly the outer track rod ends. Affects T200, T300; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Suspension bushes and joints excessive wear Major
The Aveo has systematic weakness in suspension bushes and joints, with MOT failure rates up to 244.0 times the national average. Affects T200, T300; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£600.
ABS system component failure Major
The most common failures are wheel speed sensors and ABS pump units. Affects T200, T300; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£800.
Suspension component corrosion Major
The Aveo suffers from premature corrosion of suspension components, with failure rates 48.5 times higher than the national fleet average. Affects T200, T300; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£1,200.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Chevrolet Aveo common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Chevrolet Aveo
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Chevrolet Aveo:
Brakes — check for abs fault. Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault. Suspension — check for suspension pin, bush or joint worn, suspension component damaged or corroded, suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing worn.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about steering ball joint wear and failure and suspension bushes and joints excessive wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £200. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Chevrolet Aveo?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Chevrolet Aveo MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Chevrolet Aveo?
Based on 183,319 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is abs fault — at 316x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include light unit fault and suspension pin, bush or joint worn.
Is the Chevrolet Aveo reliable based on MOT data?
The Chevrolet Aveo has 18 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag steering ball joint wear and failure as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Chevrolet Aveo most commonly fails on power steering fault and suspension pin, bush or joint worn. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are light unit fault and suspension pin, bush or joint worn.
How do I check a Chevrolet Aveo's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.