Used car guide

2008 Chevrolet Captiva petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Chevrolet Captiva first registered in 2008 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 100 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 100 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

100MOTs of 2008 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
56%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,800typical miles a year
3.9×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Chevrolet Captiva petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Chevrolet Captiva petrol than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Engine oil leaks3.9× usual
    Chevrolet Captiva
    43% All 2008 cars
    11.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Common 2008 Chevrolet Captiva petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Chevrolet Captiva petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    58% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    44% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Tyres
    42% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    40% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    38% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    34% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Chevrolet Captiva petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2008 Chevrolet Captiva petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Chevrolet Captiva?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Chevrolet Captiva compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2014500Tyres 36%
20132,878Suspension 38%
20122,621Suspension 42%
20113,199Suspension 50%
20104,554Suspension 52%
20091,922Suspension 56%
2007508Suspension 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Chevrolet Captiva cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score