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Chevrolet Tacuma Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Chevrolet Tacuma car check

Is the Chevrolet Tacuma reliable? We analysed 87,419 real MOT tests across 7,629 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 87,419 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
73.8%
Typical Mileage
48,136mi
Annual Mileage
5,740mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
21yrs

The Chevrolet Tacuma is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively and brake pipe excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Chevrolet Tacuma.

Chevrolet Tacuma Number Plates

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

Chevrolet Tacuma MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

71.7%
2009
74.2%
2008
74.5%
2007
73.3%
2006
73.4%
2005
71.2%
2004

Chevrolet Tacuma Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 4,161
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 2,705
Brake pipe excessively corroded 2,545
Registration plate lamp not working 1,487
position lamp(s) not working 1,483
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 1,085
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 1,079
Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint 1,033
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 925
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault 759

Chevrolet Tacuma Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
3,437 mi/yr
Typical
5,740 mi/yr
Average
6,622 mi/yr
Heavy usage
8,651 mi/yr

Chevrolet Tacuma MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2009 332 71.7% 31,403 49,565 70,693
2008 12,090 74.2% 28,682 44,142 62,351
2007 23,670 74.5% 29,982 46,132 65,407
2006 21,008 73.3% 32,110 48,411 67,029
2005 30,130 73.4% 34,560 51,010 70,327
2004 52 71.2% 32,984 45,700 60,818

How Long Does a Chevrolet Tacuma Last?

Based on 7,629 Chevrolet Tacuma vehicles on UK roads.

Average
10.2 years
Median
10.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
21 years

Chevrolet Tacuma Mileage Distribution

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

Median
48,136 mi
75th Percentile
67,198 mi
95th Percentile
98,038 mi
Max Recorded
993,570 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Chevrolet Tacuma

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

Best year
2007

74.5% MOT pass rate from 23,670 tests

Year to avoid
2004

71.2% MOT pass rate from 52 tests

The best year to buy a used Chevrolet Tacuma is 2007, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 74.5% across 23,670 tests. The 2004 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Chevrolet Tacuma Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Chevrolet Tacuma THIS CAR 73.8% 87,419 48,136 mi 21 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
Vauxhall Vivaro 2900 Dynamic S/s 78.9% 31,807 58,357 mi — yrs

Compared to the Chevrolet Matiz (70.8% pass rate) and the Chevrolet Spark (71.9% pass rate), the Chevrolet Tacuma outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Chevrolet Tacuma?

The Chevrolet Tacuma has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.8% across 87,419 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Chevrolet Tacuma are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4,161 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (2,705), and brake pipe excessively corroded (2,545). 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 Tacuma owner drives around 5,740 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 Tacuma models stay on UK roads for around 21 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 Tacuma — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Chevrolet Tacuma reliable?
Based on 87,419 MOT tests, the Chevrolet Tacuma has a 73.8% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Chevrolet Tacuma?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively, and brake pipe excessively corroded. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Chevrolet Tacuma do per year?
The typical Chevrolet Tacuma does around 5,740 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Chevrolet Tacuma last?
Most Chevrolet Tacuma models stay on UK roads for around 21 years based on our analysis of 7,629 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Chevrolet Tacuma?
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 Tacuma?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Chevrolet Tacuma is 2007 with a 74.5% pass rate across 23,670 tests.