Used car guide

2012 Chevrolet Aveo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Chevrolet Aveos, from 1,260 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,260MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
5,700typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Chevrolet Aveos than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Engine oil leaks2.9× usual
    Chevrolet Aveo
    21% All 2012 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Exhaust system2.8× usual
    Chevrolet Aveo
    15.4% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.5% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Coil springs1.8× usual
    Chevrolet Aveo
    17.1% All 2012 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 13.2%, against 4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes10.7× usual
    Chevrolet Aveo
    6.4% All 2012 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.6× usual
    Chevrolet Aveo
    7.5% All 2012 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

By area

The share of 2012 Chevrolet Aveo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    52% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    34% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    29% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    23% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Brakes
    17% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    17% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Chevrolet Aveo?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20131,165Suspension 54%
2011954Suspension 55%
20101,071Suspension 56%
20092,251Suspension 58%
2008587Suspension 63%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Chevrolet Aveos registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score