Used car guide

2012 Chevrolet Captiva: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Chevrolet Captivas, from 721 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

721MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
7,300typical miles a year
4.9×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

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

  • Engine oil leaks4.9× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    35.5% 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.

  • Shock absorbers2.4× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    15.8% All 2012 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 1.7% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    18.2% All 2012 cars
    10.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 2% of all 2012 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.

  • Suspension arm3.6× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    9.3% All 2012 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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.

  • Seat belts5.5× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    7.2% All 2012 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    48% 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
    41% 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
    38% 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
    36% 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.

  • Tyres
    36% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    12% 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%
2011884Suspension 54%
20101,208Suspension 54%

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