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Chevrolet Captiva reliability

E · Poor

MOT pass rates and common problems from 65,897 MOT tests of cars first registered 2007–2014.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
53.6%pass first time
−8.9 ptsvs typical car
Beats 15%of cars
65,897MOT tests

Verdict

The Chevrolet Captiva passes its MOT first time on 53.6% of tests, 8.9 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (62.5%). That puts it ahead of 15% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2007 Captiva does best (beats 33% of cars) and the 2011 worst (beats 11%).

Watch these weak spots

Lights & electrics1.5×as often as a typical car
Brakes1.7×as often as a typical car
Headlight bulbs & units2.3×as often as a typical car
Brake lights2.1×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

40%50%60%70%80%567891011121314151671%62%54%52%51%50%
Chevrolet CaptivaTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2007
Beats 33%
2008
Beats 24%
2009
Beats 15%
2010
Beats 11%
2011
Beats 11%
2012
Beats 16%
2013
Beats 18%
2014
Beats 18%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2007–201249,54550.6%Beats 15%E
2.2 Diesel2011–201416,35262.5%Beats 18%E

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 6.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 16.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 13.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 24.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 16.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 8.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 15.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 24.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 16.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−8.1 ptsTyres: 8.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.0 ptsBrakes: 15.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−6.5 ptsSuspension: 16.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 13.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−3.0 ptsExhaust: 6.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−2.6 ptsSuspension: 16.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 13.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 15.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 8.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 24.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 16.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 6.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 24.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 16.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−8.1 ptsTyres: 8.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.0 ptsBrakes: 15.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−6.5 ptsSuspension: 16.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 13.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−3.0 ptsExhaust: 6.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−2.6 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Lights: 24.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 16.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
24.8% vs 16.8%
Suspension
16.4% vs 13.4%
Brakes
15.3% vs 8.8%
Tyres
8.8% vs 7.8%
Visibility
8.0% vs 5.6%
Body & structure
7.5% vs 4.4%
Emissions & leaks
6.5% vs 3.9%
Steering
3.6% vs 2.5%
Seat belts & airbags
3.3% vs 1.1%
Wheels
0.4% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Headlight bulbs & units 2.3× typical
    Check dipped and main beam on both sides.
  • Brake lights 2.1× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Suspension arm bushes 2.8× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Brake pads 1.9× typical
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Exhaust system 2.1× typical
    Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look for heavy corrosion underneath.
  • Windscreen wipers 1.7× typical
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

40%50%60%70%80%90%30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k70%61%54%51%48%48%46%
Chevrolet CaptivaTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Brake lights6.8%3.2%2.1×
Headlight bulbs & units6.7%2.9%2.3×
Sidelights5.5%4.6%1.2×
Suspension arm bushes4.6%1.6%2.8×
Tyre damage & cracking4.6%4.0%1.1×
Brake pads4.5%2.4%1.9×
Coil springs4.5%3.9%1.1×
Tyre tread depth4.2%3.5%1.2×
Windscreen wipers3.9%2.3%1.7×
Number plate lights3.5%2.2%1.6×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn93.1
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning63.7
A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED61.6
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened44.9
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning44.3
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm42.8
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements41.8
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction39.2
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2014 Chevrolet Captiva1 engine66.5% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel1,53566.5%Beats 18%E
2013 Chevrolet Captiva1 engine63.4% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel9,28063.4%Beats 18%E
2012 Chevrolet Captiva2 engines59.1% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel4,73058.2%Beats 14%E
2.2 Diesel4,23560.0%Beats 17%E
2011 Chevrolet Captiva2 engines53.1% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel9,61152.3%Beats 9%E
2.2 Diesel1,30259.1%Beats 26%D
2010 Chevrolet Captiva1 engine49.3% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel16,47449.3%Beats 11%E
2009 Chevrolet Captiva1 engine48.3% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel7,45548.3%Beats 15%E
2008 Chevrolet Captiva1 engine49.2% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel8,39849.2%Beats 24%D
2007 Chevrolet Captiva1 engine50.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,87750.9%Beats 33%D

FAQ

What is the Chevrolet Captiva MOT pass rate?

53.6% of MOT tests on the Chevrolet Captiva were passed first time, based on 65,897 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2007–2014. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 62.5% of the time.

Is the Chevrolet Captiva reliable?

On MOT results it rates E (poor): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 15% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Chevrolet Captiva year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2007 Captiva does best for its age and mileage: it beats 33% of cars on UK roads. The 2011 does worst: it beats 11%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Chevrolet Captiva?

The most common failure items are brake lights, headlight bulbs & units, sidelights. Compared with similar cars, headlight bulbs & units comes up 2.3× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.