Used car guide

2009 Chevrolet Cruze: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Chevrolet Cruzes, from 183 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 183 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

183MOT tests in 2025
51%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
5,700typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Chevrolet Cruzes than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Engine oil leaks3.2× usual
    Chevrolet Cruze
    32.8% All 2009 cars
    10.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.3% of all 2009 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.

By area

The share of 2009 Chevrolet Cruze MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    49% 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
    39% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    34% 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
    33% 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
    32% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    17% 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
2014421Tyres 31%
20131,138Lights and electrics 35%
20121,313Tyres 36%
2011859Lights and electrics 35%
2010468Suspension 44%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Chevrolet Cruzes registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score