Used car guide

2010 Chevrolet Cruze: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Chevrolet Cruzes, from 468 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 468 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

468MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
5,900typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Chevrolet Cruzes than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Engine oil leaks2.4× usual
    Chevrolet Cruze
    24.4% All 2010 cars
    10.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.2% of all 2010 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.

  • Exhaust system2× usual
    Chevrolet Cruze
    15% All 2010 cars
    7.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 2% of all 2010 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
    Chevrolet Cruze
    10.9% All 2010 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 2.3% of all 2010 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 warning light3× usual
    Chevrolet Cruze
    6.4% All 2010 cars
    2.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 2.1% of all 2010 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 2010 Chevrolet Cruze 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.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    30% 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
    28% 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
    26% 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
    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.

Looking at a Chevrolet Cruze?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2014421Tyres 31%
20131,138Lights and electrics 35%
20121,313Tyres 36%
2011859Lights and electrics 35%
2009183Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 Chevrolet Cruzes registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score