2014 Chevrolet Spark — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2014 Chevrolet Spark passed 74.8% of its 4,967 recorded MOT tests. City cars of a similar age fail 17.3% of the time, so this is 7.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: brakes, recorded in 15.9% of tests against 11.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, rigid brake pipes and position lamp — service brake performance alone was recorded 741 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 34.9% versus 21.8%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 35.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 15.9% | 788 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.2% | 558 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.3% | 315 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.6% | 277 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.2% | 258 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.2% | 111 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 741 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 398 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 384 |
| 4 | Wipers | 238 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 189 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 173 |
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 | 35.3% | 1,753 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.4% | 1,363 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.9% | 738 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 7.3% | 365 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.0% | 347 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.4% | 319 |
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 | 1,156 | 21.8% |
| 30-60k | 2,267 | 24.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,153 | 28.2% |
| 90-120k | 308 | 29.9% |
| 120-150k | 63 | 34.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 999 | 23.8% |
| 2022 | 1,048 | 27.1% |
| 2023 | 1,023 | 25.3% |
| 2024 | 967 | 25.2% |
| 2025 | 930 | 24.3% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Spark
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 15.9% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (15.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (11.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.3% 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.
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 2014 Chevrolet Sparks pass their MOT?
74.8% of the 4,967 2014 Chevrolet Spark MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Chevrolet Spark?
Brakes, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.2%).
Does the 2014 Spark get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.8% in the 0-30k band to 34.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,967 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.