Does the Chevrolet Spark fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The Chevrolet Spark records 2.40 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 3.33 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−0.93, 95% interval −1.04 to −0.82). It ranks 431 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a Chevrolet Spark by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Chevrolet Spark is “Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction”, recorded 651 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 651 | 0.66 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 527 | 0.53 |
| Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 385 | 0.39 |
| Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users | 295 | 0.30 |
| An induction or exhaust leak that could affect emissions levels | 248 | 0.25 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 98,905 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Chevrolet Spark gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
4.3% of Chevrolet Spark MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 4,808 miles later (4,870 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 4,870 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Chevrolet Spark 2010 · Chevrolet Spark 2011 · Chevrolet Spark 2012 · Chevrolet Spark 2013 · Chevrolet Spark 2014 · Chevrolet Spark in the Netherlands · Chevrolet Spark by postcode area · Chevrolet Spark body, chassis and structure failures · Chevrolet Spark brakes failures · Chevrolet Spark vehicle identification failures · Chevrolet Spark lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Chevrolet Spark road wheels failures · Chevrolet Spark seat belts and airbags failures · Chevrolet Spark steering failures · Chevrolet Spark suspension failures · Chevrolet Spark tyres failures · Chevrolet Spark visibility failures