2008 Chevrolet Aveo — MOT failures & pass rate
6,105 MOT tests on the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo are in this dataset, and 66.7% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 26.8% of the time, so this is 6.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.9%) and suspension (16.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, pins and bushes and track rod end — position lamp alone was recorded 546 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 37.5% versus 21.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 38.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 1,151 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.3% | 996 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.0% | 916 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.9% | 485 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.4% | 455 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 451 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 546 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 509 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 476 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 431 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 401 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 348 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 38.1% | 2,327 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.2% | 2,028 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.2% | 1,846 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 1,048 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.9% | 851 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.5% | 824 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 219 | 21.5% |
| 30-60k | 1,938 | 29.8% |
| 60-90k | 2,633 | 34.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,060 | 37.6% |
| 120-150k | 212 | 42.0% |
| 150k+ | 40 | 37.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,669 | 32.4% |
| 2022 | 1,425 | 33.4% |
| 2023 | 1,220 | 32.8% |
| 2024 | 996 | 34.6% |
| 2025 | 795 | 33.8% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Aveo
On a 2008 Aveo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (15.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2008 Chevrolet Aveos pass their MOT?
66.7% of the 6,105 2008 Chevrolet Aveo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by suspension (16.3%).
Does the 2008 Aveo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.5% in the 0-30k band to 37.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,105 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.