2008 Chevrolet Captiva — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,303 MOT tests, the 2008 Chevrolet Captiva recorded a 68.3% pass rate. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 26.7% of the time, so this is 5.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.4% of tests against 15.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, exhaust system and stop lamp — position lamp alone was recorded 419 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 24.1% in the 30-60k band and 33.8% in the 150k+ band, a 9.7-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 43.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.4% | 1,030 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.4% | 817 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.4% | 763 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 540 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.6% | 403 |
| 6 | Tyres | 7.3% | 389 |
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 | 419 |
| 2 | Exhaust system | 356 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 345 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 326 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 312 |
| 6 | Joints | 259 |
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 | 43.3% | 2,297 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.7% | 1,839 |
| 3 | Tyres | 32.0% | 1,697 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 29.8% | 1,579 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 25.9% | 1,371 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 1,001 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 174 | 24.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,064 | 30.2% |
| 90-120k | 2,188 | 31.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,363 | 33.1% |
| 150k+ | 485 | 33.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,007 | 31.6% |
| Petrol | 296 | 32.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,678 | 30.6% |
| 2022 | 1,377 | 31.5% |
| 2023 | 1,034 | 31.2% |
| 2024 | 750 | 34.9% |
| 2025 | 464 | 31.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Captiva
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.4% 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 (14.4% 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 Captivas pass their MOT?
68.3% of the 5,303 2008 Chevrolet Captiva MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Chevrolet Captiva?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.4% of tests, followed by suspension (15.4%).
Does the 2008 Captiva get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.1% in the 30-60k band to 33.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,303 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.