Used car guide

2008 Chevrolet Captiva: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Chevrolet Captivas, from 358 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 358 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

358MOT tests in 2025
47%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
6,800typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Chevrolet Captivas than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.3× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    23.5% All 2008 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 3.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Engine oil leaks2.3× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    28.2% All 2008 cars
    12.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2008 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.

  • Suspension arm4.5× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    16.5% All 2008 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 0.4% of all 2008 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.

  • Exhaust system2.3× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    20.9% All 2008 cars
    9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 2.4% of all 2008 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.

By area

The share of 2008 Chevrolet Captiva MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    63% 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.

  • Brakes
    46% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    45% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    38% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    32% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    24% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Chevrolet Captiva?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2014157Suspension 38%
2013864Suspension 44%
2012721Suspension 48%
2011884Suspension 54%
20101,208Suspension 54%
2009470Suspension 61%
2007112Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Chevrolet Captivas registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score