MOT failures by make
Chevrolet MOT failures for “Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps”
Chevrolet cars failed their MOT on “Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps” in 2.26% of 123,727 tests in 2023–2024 (2,792 tests) — 1.6 times as often as comparable cars of the same age, mileage and fuel, which would have failed on it in about 1.39% of tests. It is the number 15 most common failure item on Chevrolets.
Data to 2024-12-30 · Page updated 2026-09-28 · Publisher: 73 Auto
- Chevrolet tests failing on it
- 2.26%
- 2,792 of 123,727 tests, 2023–2024
- Comparable cars
- 1.39%
- national rate at the same age, mileage and fuel
- Observed ÷ expected
- 1.63×
- 73 Auto analysis · rank #15 for Chevrolet
How unusual this is for the make
Across all MOT failures, Chevrolets fail 1.29× as often as comparable cars. On this item the gap is 1.26× wider than that overall level, so it is a genuine Chevrolet pattern rather than a reflection of how often the make fails in general. It is a major defect in the lights, reflectors and electrical part of the test. Nationally it appears on 1.10% of MOT tests.
Chevrolet models and “Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps”
The Chevrolet Spark is most affected (1.84× comparable cars); the Chevrolet Matiz least (0.58×). Not every model follows the make: the pattern is concentrated in some models. Model rows compare with cars of the same age and fuel.
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Spark | 30,505 | 2.76% | 1.84× |
| Chevrolet Captiva | 13,179 | 2.99% | 1.56× |
| Chevrolet Aveo | 18,782 | 2.56% | 1.50× |
| Chevrolet Cruze | 10,708 | 2.23% | 1.45× |
| Chevrolet Matiz | 22,205 | 1.08% | 0.58× |
By age at test
The difference is largest at 9-10 years old: 2.34% of Chevrolet tests against 1.24% for comparable cars.
| Age (years) | Chevrolet tests | Chevrolet | Comparable cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9-10 | 22,794 | 2.34% | 1.24% |
| 11-12 | 37,222 | 2.78% | 1.52% |
| 13-15 | 43,360 | 2.18% | 1.46% |
| 16+ | 18,338 | 1.43% | 1.23% |
Other Chevrolet MOT faults that stand out
- Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded · 3.77× comparable cars
- Position lamp: not working · 1.87× comparable cars
- Service brake performance: excessively binding · 2.57× comparable cars
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam · 1.86× comparable cars
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively · 1.77× comparable cars
- Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases · 2.04× comparable cars
- Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction · 1.91× comparable cars
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play · 1.61× comparable cars
Limitations
Official data: DVSA's anonymised MOT results (2023–2024), class 4 initial tests, cars at least 2.5 years old. 73 Auto analysis: the comparison rate applies the national rate of this item for each test's own age, mileage band and fuel to the Chevrolet tests. An MOT result reflects maintenance, mileage and how a car is used as well as its design, so this is not a measure of which make is most reliable. The wording of the defect is DVSA's.
Has this Chevrolet failed on it before?
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UK number plate or 17-character VIN
Where these figures come from
- Anonymised MOT tests and results (2023 and 2024) — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Open Government Licence v3.0.
Figures labelled as 73 Auto estimates are our own analysis of these sources, set out in the methodology and data sources. To report a factual error, see corrections.