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Official DVLA Record
MOT Valid
Road Tax Paid
Outstanding Recall

2011 Chevrolet Cruze 1.8L Petrol · MA61 VAU

MA61 VAU

2011 Chevrolet Cruze (1.8L, petrol). First registered 10 Oct 2011. Recorded mileage 32,388 miles. MOT valid until 28 Jul 2027. Taxed until 01 Jul 2027. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.

Make & Model
CHEVROLET CRUZE
Year / Origin
2011 · Manchester & Merseyside
Safety Recall
Recall Notice
MOT Status
Valid until 28 Jul 2027
Road Tax
Taxed (01 Jul 2027)
Recorded Mileage
32,388 mi
ULEZ Compliance
ULEZ Compliant (Euro 4+)
Fuel & Engine
Petrol · 1.8L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults

Outstanding Safety Recall Notice

Action Required

Official DVSA telemetry indicates this vehicle has an unaddressed manufacturer safety recall. Remedial repairs are legally required to be carried out 100% free of charge by an authorised main dealer.

MOT Status
Valid
Valid until 28 Jul 2027
Tax Status
Taxed
Tax due 01 Jul 2027
Fuel Type
Petrol
Year
2011
Engine
1796cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The vehicle is currently roadworthy following a pass on 7 July 2026, though the maintenance trend has shifted from a clean record to one showing neglect of consumables. The most recent test at 32,388 miles required a failure and immediate rectification of the offside rear brake pads, which were worn below 1.5mm. The tester also flagged pitted and scored rear brake discs. While these were addressed to achieve the pass, the presence of perishing tyres and worn edges suggests a lapse in basic preventative maintenance. The mileage data presents a significant anomaly that requires scrutiny. The vehicle recorded 49,552 miles in July 2025, yet the most recent entries in July 2026 show a lower figure of 32,388 miles. This discrepancy of over 17,000 miles indicates either a clerical error during the MOT recording process or a potential odometer rollback. Excluding this inconsistency, the general usage pattern is very low for a 15 year old car, which often leads to the rubber degradation seen in the current tyre advisories. A buyer must prioritize a physical inspection of the braking system and tyres. The recent failure for thin pads and scored discs suggests the rear brakes may have suffered from inactivity or poor upkeep. The current advisories for a nearside front tyre worn on the edge and a perishing offside rear tyre indicate that the vehicle has likely sat stationary for long periods, leading to age-related cracking. The history shows a previous failure in July 2019 at 32,731 miles due to fractured rear coil springs and a failing exhaust flexi pipe. While these were resolved at the time, the combination of low mileage and previous suspension failure suggests a risk of seized components or perished bushings. A thorough check of the underbody for corrosion and a verification of the actual mileage against service records is essential before purchase.
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MA61 VAU Key Findings

  • 5 MOT tests recorded
  • Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
  • Latest MOT passed on 07/07/2026
  • 32,388 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 1 historical MOT failure
  • 2 defects noted at the latest MOT

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

MA61 VAU MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 30 Jul 2026, 06:14
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2011 Chevrolet Cruze (MA61 VAU) between July 2023 and July 2026.

The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.

The most recent test on 07 July 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.

Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (4 issues), Brakes (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 5 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.

Recorded failure items include: “Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii))”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

MA61 VAU Mileage History

  1. 03/07/202344,027 mi
  2. 02/07/202447,019 mi+2,992 mi
  3. 02/07/202549,552 mi+2,533 mi
  4. 07/07/202632,385 mi-17,167 mi
  5. 07/07/202632,388 mi+3 mi

Average of roughly -3,864 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.

Recorded mileage decreased between one or more tests — a potential clocking indicator worth verifying before purchase.

Technical Specifications

ULEZ Compliant
Recall Notice Outstanding

Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence

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Reliability & Known Issues

Known faults for Chevrolet Cruze

Our database tracks 4 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.

MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
65
/ 100 · Average
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Average

This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.

Valid MOT
Taxed
Good MOT pass rate (80%)
1 dangerous defects found recently
Older vehicle
Outstanding recall notice
Experian Provenance Check

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Experian Provenance Data

Vehicle Provenance Investigation

9 Key Registers

Comprehensive register checks across Experian, MIAFTR, Police National Computer, and DVLA records.

CHECK REQUIRED

OUTSTANDING FINANCE

Experian Register

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INSURANCE WRITE-OFF

MIAFTR Register

Checks the UK insurance total loss register for Category A, B, S, or N write-offs.

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POLICE STOLEN (PNC)

Police PNC

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SALVAGE & AUCTION

Salvage Registers

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IMPORTED RECORD

Import Register

Checks vehicle registration records to verify if this vehicle was imported from abroad.

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Country of Origin Audit: [Check to Reveal]
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EXPORTED MARKER

Export Register

Checks whether the vehicle has been marked for permanent or temporary export from the UK.

Customs & Export Register: [Query Required]
UK Road Eligibility Marker: [Check to Reveal]
Export Register:QUERY REQUIRED
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SCRAPPED RECORD

Scrappage Register

Validates whether the car has been surrendered or notified as scrapped to an Authorized Treatment Facility.

Scrappage & ATF Register: [Query Required]
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CERTIFICATE OF DESTRUCTION

Statutory CoD

Confirms whether a statutory Certificate of Destruction has been issued against this chassis.

Certificate of Destruction Register: [Query Required]
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V5C LOGBOOK & KEEPERS

DVLA Master

Audits number of registered keepers and latest V5C logbook issue date.

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Previous Keepers Count: [Check to Reveal]
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Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
62/100
Risk Level
Medium
Medium
Est. Annual Cost
£900-£1,200
Mileage
The recorded 32,388 miles is well below ...

Our Verdict

Proceed with caution and budget for immediate brake and tyre work before this 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is road-safe. The recent MOT failure shows worn rear brakes and tyres that must be addressed regardless of the same-day pass after repairs.

Ask the seller for proof of the brake and tyre work carried out between the failed and passed MOT on 2026-07-07, including invoices for rear pads, discs, and any tyres fitted. Confirm the mileage discrepancy where the failure was logged at 32,385 and the pass at 32,388 on the same day, which suggests a quick turnaround rather than a concern but should be documented. Given no aggregate reliability data exists for the Chevrolet Cruze, rely on the individual history and insist on a full service record to validate the low mileage and confirm cambelt or chain intervals were met for the 1796cc petrol unit.

As a 1796cc petrol with no published insurance group in the data, expect modest fuel costs though the Cruze 1.8 is not noted for class-leading economy; annual VED for a 2011 petrol should fall in a standard band but confirm with DVLA using the reg. Routine maintenance for this age of car is inexpensive via independent garages, but the recent brake and tyre renewal shows wear items are now due. Estimated annual running cost including fuel, tax, insurance, and typical upkeep is around £900-£1,200.

Check the rear brake discs and pads personally or via a mechanic, as the 2026-07-07 failure cited scored discs both sides and offside rear pads less than 1.5 mm thick; verify new parts are fitted and not just adjusted. Inspect the Nearside Front tyre for edge wear and the Offside Rear for age cracking noted as advisories on the pass, as these were not fixed by the retest. With only 32,388 miles recorded, examine for signs of clocking given the 49,552 miles logged in 2025, and review MOT paperwork to reconcile the drop.

This blue 1.8-litre petrol Chevrolet Cruze (MA61VAU), first registered in October 2011, shows low recorded mileage of 32,388 miles as of July 2026, having dropped from 49,552 miles in July 2025. MOT history is mostly clean with passes from 2023 to 2025 showing no defects, but a failure on 2026-07-07 flagged rear brake discs scored and offside rear pads under 1.5 mm, plus tyre wear. A retest the same day passed after rectification, though tyre advisories remain.

No aggregate MOT reliability data is available for the Chevrolet Cruze, so assessment is limited to this vehicle's individual history.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.

Data Sources

DVSA

Official MOT test logs & failure reasons

DVLA

Tax, registration & powertrain specs

Experian

Finance, stolen markers & total loss

AI Analysis

Historical fault & advisory patterns

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