2013 Chevrolet Trax 1.6L Petrol · SB13 VAU

The 2013 Chevrolet Trax presents a mixed but broadly stable maintenance profile, with the most recent MOT on 5 December 2025 at 89,652 miles passing with four minor advisories. These were a front oil leak assessed as not excessive, a nearside rear outer brake disc worn and pitted but not seriously weakened, a nearside rear tyre showing cracking or perishing, and a deteriorated front registration plate. None of these represent an immediate failure risk, yet they signal that routine consumable upkeep and minor fluid seepage are now demanding attention. The maintenance trend is neither sharply worsening nor clearly improving. A major oil leak and exhaust gas leak caused a failure on 6 January 2023 at 54,982 miles, but the subsequent tests in January 2023, January 2024, December 2024, and December 2025 all passed, suggesting those specific issues were addressed. Recurring brake-related advisories, however, point to a persistent pattern rather than a one-off fix. Mileage accumulation is consistent with typical use for a 13-year-old vehicle. Between the January 2023 test at 54,991 miles and the December 2024 test at 77,383 miles, the car covered roughly 22,392 miles in nearly two years, then added a further 12,269 miles in the twelve months to December 2025. This averages close to 6,900 miles per year over the recorded period, aligning with the stated annualised figure. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden spikes that would suggest long periods of disuse or odometer anomalies within the documented record. Prospective buyers should focus their physical inspection on three areas highlighted by the advisory history. First, the engine and gearbox area requires close examination for oil leaks; the December 2025 advisory for a front oil leak, combined with the January 2023 failure for excessive engine oil leakage, indicates a recurring fluid seepage issue that may stem from deteriorating gaskets or seals. Second, the braking system warrants particular scrutiny. The December 2025 advisory for a worn and pitted nearside rear brake disc, alongside the December 2024 advisory for an offside rear service brake binding, suggests uneven caliper operation or deferred brake servicing. A thorough check of all four corners, including disc thickness variation, caliper slide mechanism function, and handbrake cables, is advisable. Third, the nearside rear tyre advisory for cracking or perishing at the most recent test raises questions about age-related rubber degradation or underinflation damage. Buyers should inspect the sidewall condition of all four tyres and verify the date codes, as original or poorly stored replacements on a car of this age can present hidden risks even where tread depth appears adequate.