Chevrolet Orlando MOT Failures
An analysis of 76,139 real DVSA MOT tests on the Chevrolet Orlando — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: T300 (2011–2018).
Where the Chevrolet Orlando fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Chevrolet Orlando is light unit fault — this model is 183 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 76,139 MOT tests, 6.49% of all Chevrolet Orlando tests recorded this as a failure.
Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.
Other notable weak points include emissions failure (62x the fleet average), obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or... (32x the fleet average), fluid leak (24x the fleet average), and brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... (9.3x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Chevrolet Orlando'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 4 categories: Lights & Electrics, Exhaust & Emissions, Wipers & Windscreen, Brakes. If you're inspecting a Chevrolet Orlando 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 Orlando'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 Orlando specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are light unit fault (183x the average) and emissions failure (62x). obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or... (32x) and fluid leak (24x) 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 Orlando specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (37x the average) and light unit fault (13x). wiper fault (11x) and obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or... (9.1x) 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 Orlando specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (31x the average) and light unit fault (16x). fluid leak (11x) and brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... (9.3x) also appear frequently.
The shift from light unit fault at lower mileages to emissions failure 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 Orlando specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Excessive diesel exhaust smoke emissions (T300) Major
The 2.0 VCDi diesel suffers from severe DPF blockage and related emissions failures. Affects T300; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£2,500.
Coil spring fracture (T300) Major
MOT data shows coil spring failures at 12.3 times the fleet average, affecting both front and rear springs unusually early. Affects T300; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Fluid leaks (T300)
Common leak points include rocker cover gaskets, sump gasket, and power steering high-pressure lines. Affects T300; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£300.
Power steering system failure (T300)
MOT data shows power steering failures at 5.3 times the fleet average on diesel variants. Affects T300; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£500.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Chevrolet Orlando common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Chevrolet Orlando
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Chevrolet Orlando:
Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault, reversing lamp inoperative, rear registration plate lamp or light source mi.... Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure, fluid leak. Wipers & Windscreen — check for obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or..., wiper fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about excessive diesel exhaust smoke emissions and coil spring fracture. 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 Orlando?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Chevrolet Orlando MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Chevrolet Orlando?
Based on 76,139 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is light unit fault — at 183x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include emissions failure and obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or....
Is the Chevrolet Orlando reliable based on MOT data?
The Chevrolet Orlando has 11 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag excessive diesel exhaust smoke emissions 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 Orlando most commonly fails on emissions failure and light unit fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are light unit fault and emissions failure.
How do I check a Chevrolet Orlando'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.