2012 Chevrolet Cruze MOT pass rate: 69.4% (4,413 tests)
Is the 2012 Cruze getting worse?
Pass rate of 2012-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 70.6% -1.8 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 68.3% -2.7 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 69.0% -1.2 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2012 Cruze
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 844 | 23.9% |
| 2 | Suspension | 741 | 21.0% |
| 3 | Brakes | 617 | 17.4% |
| 4 | Tyres | 418 | 11.8% |
| 5 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 383 | 10.8% |
| 6 | Visibility | 276 | 7.8% |
All Cruze years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1,777 | 66.2% | -1.2 pts | 86,306 |
| 2011 | 2,925 | 70.8% | +1.6 pts | 79,660 |
| 2012 (this page) | 4,413 | 69.4% | -1.9 pts | 79,476 |
| 2013 | 3,688 | 69.1% | -4.3 pts | 78,208 |
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
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- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
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FAQs
Is a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze reliable?
2012-registered examples passed 69.4% of their MOT tests (4,413 tests, 2023–2025), -1.9 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 14 years old with a median 79,476 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2012 Cruze?
The median tested example shows 79,476 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2012 Cruze?
In this cohort petrols pass 70.3% of tests against 66.7% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.