2011 Chevrolet Cruze — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,928 MOT tests, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze recorded a 76.8% pass rate. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 22.6%, so the 2011 Cruze sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.9% of all tests — 3.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, position lamp and wipers — coil spring alone was recorded 556 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.3% in the 0-30k band and 31.3% in the 150k+ band, a 16.0-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 5.3pp more often than petrol ones (28.1% vs 22.7%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 29.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 960 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.6% | 736 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.0% | 487 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.4% | 376 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.3% | 368 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.3% | 364 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 556 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 413 |
| 3 | Wipers | 278 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 257 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 251 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 250 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 29.1% | 2,017 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.0% | 1,594 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 21.9% | 1,520 |
| 4 | Suspension | 15.8% | 1,093 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.9% | 966 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 883 |
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 | 216 | 15.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,743 | 18.9% |
| 60-90k | 2,818 | 23.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,546 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 452 | 29.9% |
| 150k+ | 147 | 31.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 6,272 | 22.7% |
| Diesel | 656 | 28.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,656 | 23.4% |
| 2022 | 1,542 | 23.0% |
| 2023 | 1,405 | 22.5% |
| 2024 | 1,239 | 23.2% |
| 2025 | 1,086 | 24.4% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Cruze
On a 2011 Cruze, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.6% 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.
- Brakes (7.0% 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 2011 Chevrolet Cruzes pass their MOT?
76.8% of the 6,928 2011 Chevrolet Cruze MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.9% of tests, followed by suspension (10.6%).
Does the 2011 Cruze get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.3% in the 0-30k band to 31.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,928 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.