2011 Chevrolet Captiva — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 Chevrolet Captiva passed 69.7% of its 8,067 recorded MOT tests. That is 6.6 percentage points worse than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 23.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.7% of tests against 14.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, stop lamp and headlamp — pins and bushes alone was recorded 598 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 28.8% versus 21.6%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.9% 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 | 18.7% | 1,507 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.8% | 1,193 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.2% | 983 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.0% | 565 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.3% | 505 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 494 |
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 | 598 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 542 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 483 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 442 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 410 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 394 |
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 | 35.9% | 2,898 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.6% | 2,710 |
| 3 | Tyres | 32.1% | 2,586 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.9% | 1,686 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.6% | 1,664 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 1,380 |
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 | 51 | 21.6% |
| 30-60k | 556 | 24.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,865 | 28.8% |
| 90-120k | 3,162 | 32.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,175 | 32.3% |
| 150k+ | 257 | 28.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 8,010 | 30.3% |
| Petrol | 57 | 26.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,928 | 29.7% |
| 2022 | 1,828 | 29.8% |
| 2023 | 1,679 | 29.7% |
| 2024 | 1,440 | 31.8% |
| 2025 | 1,192 | 31.0% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Captiva
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.8% 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 (12.2% 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 Captivas pass their MOT?
69.7% of the 8,067 2011 Chevrolet Captiva MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Chevrolet Captiva?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.7% of tests, followed by suspension (14.8%).
Does the 2011 Captiva get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.6% in the 0-30k band to 28.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,067 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.