2012 Chevrolet Spark MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 52.3% of Chevrolet Sparks first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. Across 10,555 Spark first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Chevrolet Sparks first used in 2012 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2012 Chevrolet Spark MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Sparks first used in 2012 against all cars first used in 2012 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Spark figure was 11.2 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2012 Spark | All cars first used 2012 | Spark first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52.0% | 68.8% | 4,054 |
| 2022 | 53.0% | 67.4% | 3,930 |
| 2023 | 54.3% | 65.6% | 3,786 |
| 2024 | 54.9% | 64.3% | 3,552 |
| 2025 | 52.3% | 63.5% | 3,217 |
Common 2012 Chevrolet Spark MOT failures
Share of the 4,869 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working | 21.1% | 1,027 |
| Stop lamp: not working | 18.2% | 884 |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | 15.4% | 751 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 12.1% | 589 |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | 10.1% | 491 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · opens our free car check — no sign-in needed.
Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Spark in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2012 Chevrolet Spark before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
Common 2012 Chevrolet Spark MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2012 Sparks, as a share of all 10,555 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 30.6% | 3,233 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 17.4% | 1,838 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 10.7% | 1,130 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 6.8% | 715 |
| Macpherson strut pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 5.9% | 628 |
Questions about the 2012 Chevrolet Spark MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2012 Chevrolet Spark?
In 2025, 52.3% of Sparks first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2012 Spark most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 53.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (35.4%) and suspension (32.7%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (21.1%).
How often does a 2012 Chevrolet Spark fail its MOT?
In 2025, 47.7% of first tests on Sparks first used in 2012 did not pass first time: 36.6% failed, and a further 11.1% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 4,869 of 10,555 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Spark MOT advisories?
“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 30.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (17.4%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (10.7%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (6.8%) and “Macpherson strut pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (5.9%).
Is a 2012 Chevrolet Spark reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 52.0% in 2021 to 52.3% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2012
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2012 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2012 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2012 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2012 Spark?
The numbers above cover every Spark first used in 2012 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · no sign-in needed.