Chevrolet Captiva reliability: MOT pass rate and common faults
Chevrolet Captiva cars first used in 2010 had an MOT pass rate below the average for their age.
The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.
First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 48.1% to 53.8%.
In 2025, 51.0% of the 1,201 initial MOT tests on Chevrolet Captiva cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 59.3%. That is 8.3 points below the same-age average.
Check a specific Captiva
Chevrolet Captiva MOT pass rate by year
| Year | Chart | Testsmedian miles | Passed first time | Against all vehicles that year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010age 15 | 1,201113,100 | 51.0%±2.9 | −8.3 ptsall: 59.3% |
Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.
When a car's mileage doesn't add upCommon Captiva problems at the MOT
MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems.
Most common MOT failures on the Chevrolet Captiva
| Defect | Share of failed tests | All vehicles, same age |
|---|---|---|
| Stop lamp not workingLights and electrics | 18.3%108 tests | 8.4% |
| Position lamp not workingLights and electrics | 17.3%102 tests | 14.1% |
| Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirtBody, chassis, structure | 13.9%82 tests | 5.7% |
| Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gasesBody, chassis, structure | 12.7%75 tests | 3.6% |
| Coil spring fractured or brokenSuspension | 12.4%73 tests | 10.5% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunctionNoise, emissions, leaks | 12.1%71 tests | 5.1% |
| Suspension arm ball joint excessively wornSuspension | 11.5%68 tests | 6.6% |
| Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes | 9.7%57 tests | 5.0% |
| Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres | 9.3%55 tests | 7.2% |
| SRS malfunction indicator lamp warning lamp indicates a faultSeat belts and airbags | 9.0%53 tests | 1.6% |
These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the Captiva's failed tests in each year. How we count
What to check when viewing a Captiva
Lights and electrics
- Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
- Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
- Check the dashboard warning lights come on when the car is switched on and then go out. Ask about any that stay lit.
Suspension
- Push down hard on each corner. Check the car rises once and settles, not bouncing again and again.
- On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
- Check the car sits level when parked on flat ground.
Brakes
- On a clear road, brake firmly and check the car stops in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
- Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
- Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.
Body, chassis, structure
- Look for rust or damage under the sills, around the wheel arches and on the floor where you can see it.
- Open and close every door, the bonnet and the boot, and check each one latches properly.
- Check the seats are secure and adjust properly.
Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.
Check a Captiva's MOT historyChevrolet Captiva questions
Is the Chevrolet Captiva reliable?
MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 51.0% of initial MOT tests on Chevrolet Captiva cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 59.3%. That is 8.3 points below average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.
What are the most common Chevrolet Captiva problems at the MOT?
The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 52.8% of failed tests), suspension (in 44.0% of failed tests) and brakes (in 37.7% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.
What mileage is normal for a 15-year-old Chevrolet Captiva?
At their 2025 MOT tests, Chevrolet Captiva cars first used in 2010, about 15 years old, had a median of 113,100 miles. Half had more and half had less.
How do I check a specific Captiva's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.
Check a car's MOT history for freeWhat MOT data can't tell you about any Chevrolet Captiva
Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.
Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't showOther Chevrolet models
- Chevrolet Spark−8.6 pts against the same-age average
- Chevrolet Matiz−6.6 pts against the same-age average
- Chevrolet Aveo−10.8 pts against the same-age average
- Chevrolet Orlando−4.2 pts against the same-age average
- Chevrolet Cruze−6.6 pts against the same-age average
Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.
Cars ranked by MOT pass rate, by ageSource: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Chevrolet Captiva cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count