2012 Chevrolet Orlando petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Chevrolet Orlando petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Chevrolet Orlando petrol than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Engine oil leaks4.6× usual
  Chevrolet Orlando

  27% All 2012 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.1% of all 2012 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.

• Number plate lights2× usual
  Chevrolet Orlando

  13.6% All 2012 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Individual direction indicators2.6× usual
  Chevrolet Orlando

  7.4% All 2012 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 1.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Exhaust system1.9× usual
  Chevrolet Orlando

  9.4% All 2012 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 1.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Number plates2.3× usual
  Chevrolet Orlando

  7.3% All 2012 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Common 2012 Chevrolet Orlando petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Chevrolet Orlando petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Tyres
  34% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  29% 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.

• Brakes
  28% 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.

• Suspension
  20% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  11% 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 2012 Chevrolet Orlando 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 4.6× as often on the 2012 Chevrolet Orlando petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2012 Chevrolet Orlando petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2012 Chevrolet Orlando petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?