Chevrolet Cruze Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Chevrolet Cruze car check
Is the Chevrolet Cruze reliable? We analysed 106,688 real MOT tests across 8,466 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Chevrolet Cruze? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Chevrolet Cruze is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include coil spring broken, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Chevrolet Cruze.
Chevrolet Cruze Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Chevrolet Cruze. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Chevrolet Cruze MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Chevrolet Cruze to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Chevrolet Cruze Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Chevrolet Cruze fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Chevrolet Cruze Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Chevrolet Cruze models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Chevrolet Cruze Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Chevrolet Cruze owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Chevrolet Cruze MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Chevrolet Cruze year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 63 | 76.2% | 44,496 | 72,825 | 102,033 |
| 2014 | 6,407 | 76.4% | 36,452 | 56,673 | 81,793 |
| 2013 | 19,673 | 75.2% | 36,621 | 56,062 | 79,212 |
| 2012 | 28,301 | 74.3% | 35,503 | 55,111 | 79,324 |
| 2011 | 22,916 | 74.2% | 33,593 | 52,694 | 76,689 |
| 2010 | 19,533 | 72.5% | 37,970 | 58,980 | 84,668 |
| 2009 | 9,441 | 72.9% | 35,605 | 58,043 | 83,913 |
How Long Does a Chevrolet Cruze Last?
Based on 8,466 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles on UK roads.
Chevrolet Cruze Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Chevrolet Cruze MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Chevrolet Cruze
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
76.4% MOT pass rate from 6,407 tests
72.5% MOT pass rate from 19,533 tests
The best year to buy a used Chevrolet Cruze is 2014, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.4% across 6,407 tests. The 2010 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Chevrolet Cruze Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Cruze THIS CAR | 74.1% | 106,688 | 55,890 mi | 17 yrs |
| Chevrolet Matiz | 70.8% | 487,981 | 39,253 mi | 21 yrs |
| Chevrolet Spark | 71.9% | 273,626 | 47,852 mi | 16 yrs |
| Chevrolet Aveo | 69.7% | 241,765 | 48,643 mi | 18 yrs |
| Aprilia RS125 | 70.2% | 51,570 | 13,624 mi | 31 yrs |
Compared to the Chevrolet Matiz (70.8% pass rate) and the Chevrolet Spark (71.9% pass rate), the Chevrolet Cruze outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Chevrolet Cruze you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Chevrolet CruzeShould you buy a used Chevrolet Cruze?
The Chevrolet Cruze has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.1% across 106,688 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Chevrolet Cruze are coil spring broken (2,162 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (1,391), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1,181). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Chevrolet Cruze with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Chevrolet Cruze owner drives around 6,221 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Chevrolet Cruze models stay on UK roads for around 17 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.