Chevrolet Spark Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Chevrolet Spark car check
Is the Chevrolet Spark reliable? We analysed 273,626 real MOT tests across 19,123 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Chevrolet Spark? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Chevrolet Spark is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Chevrolet Spark.
Chevrolet Spark Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Chevrolet Spark. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Chevrolet Spark MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Chevrolet Spark to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Chevrolet Spark Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Chevrolet Spark fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Chevrolet Spark Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Chevrolet Spark models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Chevrolet Spark Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Chevrolet Spark owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Chevrolet Spark MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Chevrolet Spark year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 102 | 73.5% | 28,150 | 42,902 | 68,743 |
| 2014 | 9,807 | 75.0% | 23,321 | 37,576 | 56,725 |
| 2013 | 57,978 | 71.4% | 33,072 | 47,576 | 65,776 |
| 2012 | 65,143 | 69.8% | 33,565 | 49,022 | 68,110 |
| 2011 | 71,633 | 72.2% | 31,561 | 48,107 | 68,435 |
| 2010 | 68,083 | 73.8% | 30,454 | 47,782 | 69,108 |
How Long Does a Chevrolet Spark Last?
Based on 19,123 Chevrolet Spark vehicles on UK roads.
Chevrolet Spark Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Chevrolet Spark 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 Spark
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
75.0% MOT pass rate from 9,807 tests
69.8% MOT pass rate from 65,143 tests
The best year to buy a used Chevrolet Spark is 2014, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 75.0% across 9,807 tests. The 2012 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Chevrolet Spark Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Spark THIS CAR | 71.9% | 273,626 | 47,852 mi | 16 yrs |
| Chevrolet Matiz | 70.8% | 487,981 | 39,253 mi | 21 yrs |
| Chevrolet Aveo | 69.7% | 241,765 | 48,643 mi | 18 yrs |
| Chevrolet Kalos | 71.1% | 221,978 | 46,909 mi | 21 yrs |
| Seat Toledo | 72.3% | 266,761 | 88,937 mi | 33 yrs |
Compared to the Chevrolet Matiz (70.8% pass rate) and the Chevrolet Aveo (69.7% pass rate), the Chevrolet Spark outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Chevrolet Spark 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 SparkShould you buy a used Chevrolet Spark?
The Chevrolet Spark has an overall MOT pass rate of 71.9% across 273,626 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common failure point is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm with 3,137 recorded occurrences. Check for this on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection.
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 Spark 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 Spark owner drives around 4,320 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 Spark models stay on UK roads for around 16 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.