Used car guide

2013 Chevrolet Aveo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Chevrolet Aveos, from 1,165 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,165MOT tests in 2025

55%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)

5,800typical miles a year

3.3×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Chevrolet Aveos than on all cars registered in 2013.

Engine oil leaks3.3× usual

Chevrolet Aveo
19.1% All 2013 cars
5.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2013 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 system3.1× usual

Chevrolet Aveo
14.2% All 2013 cars
4.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.2% of all 2013 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 springs2× usual

Chevrolet Aveo
17.7% All 2013 cars
8.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 14.2%, against 4% of all 2013 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.
Ball joint dust cover4.3× usual

Chevrolet Aveo
11.1% All 2013 cars
2.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 1.1% of all 2013 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.
Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual

Chevrolet Aveo
16.1% All 2013 cars
8.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.8% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

By area

The share of 2013 Chevrolet Aveo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

54% 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

27% 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

20% 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

18% 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

15% 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

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2012	1,260	Suspension 52%
2011	954	Suspension 55%
2010	1,071	Suspension 56%
2009	2,251	Suspension 58%
2008	587	Suspension 63%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Chevrolet Aveos registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score