Chevrolet Sonic MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 33 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 42.4%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Chevrolet Sonic MOT Reliability Overview
The Chevrolet Sonic is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 33 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 57.6% and a failure rate of 42.4%, which is slightly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Chevrolet Sonic earns a "Below Average" reliability rating. The average Chevrolet Sonic presents for MOT with approximately 37,059 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the Chevrolet Sonic is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, affecting 48.5% of all tests. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. The second most common issue is Brakes at 24.2%. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment rounds out the top three at 21.2%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 69.7% | 23 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.2% | 8 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.2% | 6 |
| 4 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 3.0% | 1 |
| 5 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 3.0% | 1 |
| 6 | Suspension | 3.0% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 37,059 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 18.80 | 69.7% | 23 |
| Brakes | 6.54 | 24.2% | 8 |
| Tyres | 4.91 | 18.2% | 6 |
| Seat Belts | 0.82 | 3.0% | 1 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.82 | 3.0% | 1 |
| Suspension | 0.82 | 3.0% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Chevrolet Sonic has 37,059 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Chevrolet Sonic has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 11.44% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Chevrolet Sonic MOT Data
The Chevrolet Sonic is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 33 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 57.6% and a failure rate of 42.4%, which is slightly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Chevrolet Sonic owners, these results suggest average reliability — some preparation before MOT can improve pass chances. Focus your pre-MOT checks on lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and brakes for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific Sonic is likely to perform.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 48.5% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 48.5% of MOT failures on the Chevrolet Sonic. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Brakes — 24.2% of failures
Brakes issues account for 24.2% of MOT failures on the Chevrolet Sonic. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 21.2% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 21.2% of MOT failures on the Chevrolet Sonic. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Chevrolet Sonic?
Based on 33 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Chevrolet Sonic has an overall pass rate of 57.6% (42.4% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Chevrolet Sonic?
The top 3 reasons a Chevrolet Sonic fails its MOT are: 1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (48.5%), 2. Brakes (24.2%), 3. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (21.2%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Chevrolet Sonic reliable?
With a 42.4% MOT failure rate, the Sonic is about average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Chevrolet Sonic?
Based on failure data, focus on: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (48.5%); Brakes (24.2%); Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (21.2%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.