Used car guide

2012 Chevrolet Cruze: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Chevrolet Cruzes, from 1,313 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,313MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
6,300typical miles a year
3.4×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

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

  • Engine oil leaks3.4× usual
    Chevrolet Cruze
    25% 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.

  • Coil springs2× usual
    Chevrolet Cruze
    19.1% All 2012 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.7%, against 4% of all 2012 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.

  • Exhaust system1.8× usual
    Chevrolet Cruze
    10.1% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 1.5% of all 2012 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.

  • Corroded fuel pipes18.5× usual
    Chevrolet Cruze
    3.7% All 2012 cars
    0.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2012 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.

  • Seat belts3.6× usual
    Chevrolet Cruze
    4.7% All 2012 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, 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.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 2.1% here, against 10.1% of all 2012 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 1.7% here, against 4.4% of all 2012 cars.

By area

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

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% 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
    32% 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.

  • Suspension
    29% 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
    28% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    12% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Chevrolet Cruze?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20131,138Lights and electrics 35%
2011859Lights and electrics 35%

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