2011 Chevrolet Aveo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 8,427 MOT tests, the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo recorded a 69.7% pass rate. Against superminis of a similar age (23.7% fail rate), the 2011 Aveo comes out 6.5pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (15.6%) and lighting & signalling (13.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, track rod end and service brake performance — pins and bushes alone was recorded 800 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.9% in the 0-30k band and 28.1% in the 150k+ band, a 7.2-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 30.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.6% | 1,312 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 1,130 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.3% | 1,040 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.8% | 653 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.6% | 554 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.4% | 455 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 800 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 628 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 626 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 551 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 435 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 429 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 30.6% | 2,579 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.1% | 2,539 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.1% | 2,449 |
| 4 | Other defects | 14.1% | 1,185 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.5% | 803 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 742 |
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 | 637 | 20.9% |
| 30-60k | 3,257 | 28.2% |
| 60-90k | 3,344 | 32.5% |
| 90-120k | 988 | 34.8% |
| 120-150k | 168 | 33.3% |
| 150k+ | 32 | 28.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 8,130 | 30.3% |
| Diesel | 293 | 29.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,008 | 29.5% |
| 2022 | 1,885 | 29.8% |
| 2023 | 1,723 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 1,543 | 32.0% |
| 2025 | 1,268 | 30.1% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Aveo
On a 2011 Aveo, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (15.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (13.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.3% 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 2011 Chevrolet Aveos pass their MOT?
69.7% of the 8,427 2011 Chevrolet Aveo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Chevrolet Aveo?
Suspension, recorded in 15.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.4%).
Does the 2011 Aveo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.9% in the 0-30k band to 28.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,427 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.