Chevrolet Epica MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 6 model years and 735 tests, the Chevrolet Epica passes its MOT 69.7% of the time. Against all cars of a similar age (25.0% fail rate), the Epica comes out 5.4pp worse. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and steering.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (20.9%) and brakes (20.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rbt (sp) and steering rack — position lamp alone was recorded 78 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 35.0% versus 24.6%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 42.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every Epica model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 219 | 69.4% | 30.6% | Brakes |
| 2009 | 432 | 69.9% | 30.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2011 | 60 | 70.0% | 30.0% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.9% | 154 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.1% | 148 |
| 3 | Steering | 8.0% | 59 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.5% | 55 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.3% | 54 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.3% | 46 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 46 |
| 8 | Emissions & environmental | 5.2% | 38 |
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 | 78 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 57 |
| 3 | Steering rack | 56 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 54 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 49 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 48 |
| 7 | Joints | 46 |
| 8 | Anti-lock braking system | 39 |
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 | 42.9% | 315 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.7% | 211 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.6% | 159 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.1% | 148 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.2% | 119 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.5% | 92 |
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 | 110 | 24.6% |
| 60-90k | 230 | 29.1% |
| 90-120k | 221 | 32.1% |
| 120-150k | 127 | 33.9% |
| 150k+ | 40 | 35.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 615 | 30.6% |
| Petrol | 120 | 29.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 238 | 30.3% |
| 2022 | 193 | 30.6% |
| 2023 | 139 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 99 | 31.3% |
| 2025 | 66 | 28.8% |
What to check before buying a Chevrolet Epica
- Lighting & signalling (20.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (20.1% 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.
- Steering (8.0% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Chevrolet Epica?
69.7% of the 735 Chevrolet Epica MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 30.3% fail rate, across model years 2006–2011.
What does the Chevrolet Epica most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.9% of tests, then brakes (20.1%).
How much does mileage affect Epica MOT results?
Fail rates run at 24.6% for cars in the 30-60k band and 35.0% for 150k+, a 10.4-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 735 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.