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Chevrolet Epica Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Chevrolet Epica car check

Is the Chevrolet Epica reliable? We analysed 6,727 real MOT tests across 607 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 6,727 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
69.4%
Typical Mileage
70,403mi
Annual Mileage
7,990mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
18yrs

The Chevrolet Epica is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include registration plate lamp not working, position lamp(s) not working and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Chevrolet Epica.

Chevrolet Epica Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Chevrolet Epica. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Chevrolet Epica MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Chevrolet Epica to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

66.7%
2011
65.1%
2010
70%
2009
69%
2008

Chevrolet Epica Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Chevrolet Epica fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Registration plate lamp not working 237
position lamp(s) not working 225
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 177
Steering rack gaiter split 168
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 166
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 148
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 142
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault 98
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel 97
constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc 96

Chevrolet Epica Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Chevrolet Epica owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
4,661 mi/yr
Typical
7,990 mi/yr
Average
11,695 mi/yr
Heavy usage
13,889 mi/yr

Chevrolet Epica MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Chevrolet Epica year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2011 276 66.7% 35,799 54,569 85,962
2010 169 65.1% 39,402 64,256 114,482
2009 3,656 70.0% 45,179 70,680 103,995
2008 2,508 69.0% 44,790 71,817 104,907

How Long Does a Chevrolet Epica Last?

Based on 607 Chevrolet Epica vehicles on UK roads.

Average
9.3 years
Median
9.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
18 years

Chevrolet Epica Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Chevrolet Epica MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
70,403 mi
75th Percentile
103,665 mi
95th Percentile
170,136 mi
Max Recorded
794,894 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Chevrolet Epica

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2009

70.0% MOT pass rate from 3,656 tests

Year to avoid
2010

65.1% MOT pass rate from 169 tests

The best year to buy a used Chevrolet Epica is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 70.0% across 3,656 tests. The 2010 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Chevrolet Epica Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Chevrolet Epica THIS CAR 69.4% 6,727 70,403 mi 18 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
Ducati Multistrada 1000 S 84.4% 2,729 11,994 mi 23 yrs

Compared to the Chevrolet Matiz (70.8% pass rate) and the Chevrolet Spark (71.9% pass rate), the Chevrolet Epica trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Chevrolet Epica 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.

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Should you buy a used Chevrolet Epica?

The Chevrolet Epica has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.4% across 6,727 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Chevrolet Epica are registration plate lamp not working (237 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (225), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (177). 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.

A typical Chevrolet Epica owner drives around 7,990 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 Epica models stay on UK roads for around 18 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.

Chevrolet Epica — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Chevrolet Epica reliable?
Based on 6,727 MOT tests, the Chevrolet Epica has a 69.4% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Chevrolet Epica?
The most common MOT failures are registration plate lamp not working, position lamp(s) not working, and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Chevrolet Epica do per year?
The typical Chevrolet Epica does around 7,990 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Chevrolet Epica last?
Most Chevrolet Epica models stay on UK roads for around 18 years based on our analysis of 607 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Chevrolet Epica?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Chevrolet Epica?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Chevrolet Epica is 2009 with a 70.0% pass rate across 3,656 tests.