Used car guide

2011 Chevrolet Cruze: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Chevrolet Cruzes, from 859 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

859MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
6,000typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

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

  • Engine oil leaks3.3× usual
    Chevrolet Cruze
    29.2% All 2011 cars
    8.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, 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.

  • Exhaust system2.4× usual
    Chevrolet Cruze
    15.4% All 2011 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, 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.

  • Coil springs1.8× usual
    Chevrolet Cruze
    18.5% All 2011 cars
    10.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 4.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Number plate lights1.9× usual
    Chevrolet Cruze
    15% All 2011 cars
    8.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 2.3% of all 2011 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.

  • Corroded fuel pipes12.7× usual
    Chevrolet Cruze
    3.8% All 2011 cars
    0.3%

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

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 2.7% here, against 7.6% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Chevrolet Cruze MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    35% 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
    34% 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
    34% 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.

  • Suspension
    33% 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.

  • 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
    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
20131,138Lights and electrics 35%
20121,313Tyres 36%

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