Used car guide

2014 Chevrolet Trax: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 Chevrolet Traxs, from 466 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 466 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

466MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)
7,000typical miles a year
7.3×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 Chevrolet Traxs than on all cars registered in 2014.

  • Ball joint dust cover7.3× usual
    Chevrolet Trax
    16.1% All 2014 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.5%, against 0.9% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Engine oil leaks4.1× usual
    Chevrolet Trax
    17.4% All 2014 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2014 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 system2.7× usual
    Chevrolet Trax
    9.7% All 2014 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1% of all 2014 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.

By area

The share of 2014 Chevrolet Trax MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    43% 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
    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.

  • Brakes
    23% 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
    18% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    18% 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
    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.

Looking at a Chevrolet Trax?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2013945Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2014 Chevrolet Traxs registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score