Used car guide

2011 Chevrolet Captiva: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Chevrolet Captivas, from 884 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

884MOT tests in 2025
51%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
7,500typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Chevrolet Captivas than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Engine oil leaks2.9× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    25.5% All 2011 cars
    8.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.2% of all 2011 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints4× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    19% All 2011 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 2.2% of all 2011 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.

  • Exhaust system2.8× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    18.2% All 2011 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.7% of all 2011 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.

  • Brake pads1.9× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    18.2% All 2011 cars
    9.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 2.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Brake lights2.6× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    11.3% All 2011 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.8%, against 3.4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

By area

The share of 2011 Chevrolet Captiva 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.

  • Brakes
    44% 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
    43% 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
    37% 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
    29% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    20% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2013864Suspension 44%
2012721Suspension 48%
20101,208Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Chevrolet Captivas registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score