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Chevrolet Spark reliability by build year

Coverage 2010-20151 named generationHatchbackPETROL
At a glance

Chevrolet Spark built around 2012: about average at the MOT

Chevrolet Sparks built around 2012 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age.

Check a Chevrolet Spark by number plate

Key figure

34% of MOT tests on Chevrolet Sparks built around 2012 ended in a fail (retests included), against 29% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Chevrolet Sparks built around 2012 involves the brakes.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Chevrolet Spark's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Spark's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

M

M300 (2010-2015)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROL

30.0% fail rate, built around 2015 (10 years old)

Likely between 24.1% and 36.7%

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 22.8%)

From 200 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Chevrolet Spark.

See every build year for the Chevrolet Spark

By age

Chevrolet Spark fail rate by age

This chart combines every Chevrolet Spark ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
20030.0%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
2,87730.4%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
4,42931.7%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
5,06833.6%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
4,38132.5%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
2,02832.1%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 13 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 13-year-old Chevrolet Sparks

These issues come from 13-year-old Chevrolet Sparks, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    34.6%
    Advisory: 2,721Fail: 384 (12% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    22.3%
    Advisory: 1,469Fail: 175 (11% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    19.5%
    Advisory: 1,267Fail: 306 (19% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    13.8%
    Advisory: 892Fail: 125 (12% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    11.1%
    Advisory: 506Fail: 114 (18% of the times it was found)

Based on 5,068 MOT tests on 13-year-old Chevrolet Sparks, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 13-year-old Chevrolet Sparks notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Suspension39%
  2. Brakes + Tyres32%
  3. Suspension + Tyres26%
  4. Brakes + Lighting25%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 3,177 MOT tests on Chevrolet Spark cars built around 2012 (13 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Chevrolet Spark.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Chevrolet Spark name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Toyota IQ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.6%
    Dangerous
    3.5%

    Lower fail rate: 19.6%, against 33.6% for the Chevrolet Spark, both built around 2012.

    2,943 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  2. 2

    Skoda Citigo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.6%
    Dangerous
    4.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.2%

    Lower fail rate: 19.9%, against 33.6% for the Chevrolet Spark, both built around 2012.

    2,066 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  3. 3

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    Lower fail rate: 21.2%, against 33.6% for the Chevrolet Spark, both built around 2012.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    8,649 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  4. 4

    SEAT Mii

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.4%
    Dangerous
    4.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.4%

    Lower fail rate: 23.4%, against 33.6% for the Chevrolet Spark, both built around 2012.

    1,052 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2012 (13 years old), the Chevrolet Spark across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 5,068 13-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Chevrolet Spark ever sold: 18,983 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2012 (13 years old): 5,068 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.