2012 Chevrolet Volt — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 302 MOT tests, the 2012 Chevrolet Volt recorded an 81.5% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 21.6% of the time, so this is 3.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.3%) and suspension (5.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are malfunction indicator lamp, side repeaters and joints — malfunction indicator lamp alone was recorded 11 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.9% in the 30-60k band and 19.1% in the 120-150k band, a 4.2-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 27.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 15.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.3% | 22 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.0% | 15 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.6% | 14 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.0% | 12 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.6% | 11 |
| 6 | Brakes | 3.6% | 11 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 11 |
| 2 | Side repeaters | 11 |
| 3 | Joints | 10 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 9 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 5 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 5 |
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 | 27.2% | 82 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.2% | 79 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.9% | 45 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.9% | 30 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 29 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.3% | 13 |
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 | 47 | 14.9% |
| 60-90k | 79 | 22.8% |
| 90-120k | 96 | 17.7% |
| 120-150k | 42 | 19.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 58 | 15.5% |
| 2022 | 72 | 23.6% |
| 2023 | 60 | 20.0% |
| 2024 | 55 | 10.9% |
| 2025 | 57 | 21.1% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Volt
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 7.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (7.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.0% 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.
- Tyres (4.6% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2012 Chevrolet Volts pass their MOT?
81.5% of the 302 2012 Chevrolet Volt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Chevrolet Volt?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.3% of tests, followed by suspension (5.0%).
Does the 2012 Volt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.9% in the 30-60k band to 19.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 302 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.