Used car guide

2013 Chevrolet Captiva: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Chevrolet Captivas, from 864 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

864MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
7,900typical miles a year
5.2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

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

  • Engine oil leaks5.2× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    30.4% All 2013 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, 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.

  • Number plate lights2.7× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    16.6% All 2013 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.8% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Suspension arm4.7× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    9.4% All 2013 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    16.7% All 2013 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, 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.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.3× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    11% All 2013 cars
    4.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    44% 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.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    38% 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.

  • 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
    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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    11% 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
2012721Suspension 48%
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 2013 Chevrolet Captivas registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score