Chevrolet Tacuma MOT Failures

An analysis of 16,453 real DVSA MOT tests on the Chevrolet Tacuma — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: U100 (2005–2011).

Where the Chevrolet Tacuma fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Chevrolet Tacuma is seat mounting fault — this model is 141 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 16,453 MOT tests, 10.7% of all Chevrolet Tacuma tests recorded this as a failure.

Other notable weak points include headlight fault (66x the fleet average), fluid leak (19x the fleet average), power steering fault (52x the fleet average), and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (16x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Chevrolet Tacuma'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: Seatbelts & Airbags, Lights & Electrics, Exhaust & Emissions, Steering, Bodywork and others. If you're inspecting a Chevrolet Tacuma 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 Tacuma'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 Tacuma specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are seat mounting fault (141x the average) and headlight fault (66x). power steering fault (52x) and exhaust system damage (21x) 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 Tacuma specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are seat mounting fault (45x the average) and headlight fault (44x). power steering fault (22x) and structural corrosion (14x) 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 Tacuma specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are seat mounting fault (12x the average) and headlight fault (6.8x). fluid leak (5.8x) and fluid leak also appear frequently.

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 Tacuma specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Structural corrosion compromising rigidity Dangerous

The Tacuma suffers from severe structural corrosion that compromises the rigidity of the vehicle assembly. Affects U100.

Subframe mounting point corrosion Dangerous

The load-bearing structure within 30cm of subframe and suspension mounting points deteriorates due to corrosion on the Tacuma. Affects U100.

Brake pipe corrosion Dangerous

Brake pipes on the Tacuma suffer from excessive corrosion leading to failure rates 11.8 times higher than the national fleet average. Affects U100; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.

Excessive fluid leaks posing environmental risk Major

The Tacuma exhibits fluid leakage rates 16 times higher than the national fleet average, primarily affecting cars with 40,000-100,000+ miles. Affects U100; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£800.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Chevrolet Tacuma common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Chevrolet Tacuma

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Chevrolet Tacuma:

Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault. Exhaust & Emissions — check for fluid leak. Steering — check for power steering fault.

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about structural corrosion compromising rigidity and subframe mounting point corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — 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.

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.