Chevrolet Spark (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 6,632 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,153

£179/month

MOT Pass Rate

72%

Average

Road Tax

£200

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1206cc Petrol

Check Carefully

72% pass rate, £2,153/year to run. 10 points below average.

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Petrol1206cc14 years old6,632 tests70k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1206cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,153

Per month£179/mo

Per week£41/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

72% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 10 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Chevrolet brand average of 76%.

72% of MOT tests on Chevrolet Sparks from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 6,632 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 69,548 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models582nd of 650(bottom 11%)

Rank among Chevrolet models51st of 86(bottom half)

vs average of all models-10%(82% avg)

vs 2012 models average-6%(78% avg)

vs Chevrolet average-4%(76% avg)

Mileage Analysis

69,548

Average miles

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Chevrolet Spark had 69,548 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2014 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 75%, while the 2012 model has the lowest at 72%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Chevrolet Spark by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2014	75%	1,289	54,168 mi
2013	73%	6,759	67,508 mi
2012	72%	6,632	69,548 mi
2011	73%	6,692	71,578 mi
2010	73%	5,592	71,968 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2014 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

79%

+7%

Vauxhall Corsa

2014 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

76%

+4%

Ford Focus

2013 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

78%

+6%

Nissan Qashqai

2013 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,228/year

72%

same

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About the 2012 Chevrolet Spark

The 2012 Chevrolet Spark is a small family car. Our records list a 1206cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 6,632 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 11% of 2012 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 69,548 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Chevrolet Spark owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 Chevrolet Spark Fuel Costs

The 1206cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2012 Chevrolet Spark?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,153 (£179/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 72% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Chevrolet Spark Reliability Trend

The Chevrolet Spark has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 0 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2012 Chevrolet Spark

At 14 years old, the Chevrolet Spark is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. With 6,632 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2012 Chevrolet Spark stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Chevrolet Spark(2012)	72%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153
Ford Fiesta(2014)	79%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750-£403
Vauxhall Corsa(2014)	76%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153same
Ford Focus(2013)	78%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£75
Nissan Qashqai(2013)	72%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£75

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2012 Chevrolet Spark

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Spark reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 72% of MOT tests on 2012 Chevrolet Sparks ended in a pass, from 6,632 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 10 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 Chevrolet Spark cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,153 a year (£179 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Chevrolet Spark?

72% of 6,632 MOT tests on the 2012 Chevrolet Spark ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 582nd of 650 models first registered in 2012 (bottom 11%).

Which year Chevrolet Spark has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2014 Chevrolet Spark has the highest MOT pass rate at 75% and the 2012 the lowest at 72%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2012 Chevrolet Spark?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Chevrolet Spark is 69,548 miles, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.