Timing chain stretch
usually 60,000–150,000 km · High risk
Signs: Rattle on cold start, timing codes — the chain can jump
Fix: Replace chain, tensioner and guides
€400–800
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Chevrolet Aveo
2011–2015
4
engines covered
13
known faults
3,912
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
4
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Chevrolet Aveo was built from 2011 to 2015.
For this generation we cover 4 engines and 13 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is 6T40 / 6T45 3-5-R wave plate: it usually appears at 80,000–200,000 km and costs €1,200–2,500 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: suspension (29.3 %), lights, wipers and visibility (25.8 %), brakes (9.8 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: suspension, steering, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.4 Twinport / Ecotec (Opel Family 0) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 · dexos2 · ~3.5 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.0 / 1.2 16v (GM B-series: Spark, Aveo) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 · dexos2 · ~3.75 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.3 MultiJet / CDTI / DDiS / TDCi | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 / 5W-40 · Fiat 9.55535-S1 / dexos2 · ~3.2–3.9 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.6 / 1.8 16v Ecotec (Opel Family 1: Z16XER / Z18XER) | Petrol | Belt · 120,000 km / every 96 mo | 5W-30 · dexos2 · ~4.5 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
1.0 / 1.2 / 1.4 Twinport / Ecotec (Opel Family 0)
Twinport intake flap actuator
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
engine codes: Z10XEP, Z12XEP, Z14XEP, A10XEP, A12XEL
Signs: Engine light, flat spot
Fix: Replace actuator / manifold
€150–450
EGR valve sticking
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
engine codes: Z10XEP, Z12XEP, Z14XEP, Z10XE, Z12XE
Signs: Unstable idle, stalling
Fix: Clean or replace EGR
€100–300
Thermostat housing / coolant leaks
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Coolant loss
Fix: Replace housing
€100–300
1.0 / 1.2 16v (GM B-series: Spark, Aveo)
Ignition coil
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Misfire
Fix: Replace
€60–150
Thermostat housing leak
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Coolant loss
Fix: Replace housing
€80–200
1.3 MultiJet / CDTI / DDiS / TDCi
Timing chain stretch
usually 150,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle
Fix: Replace chain
€500–1,000
EGR / DPF
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€250–1,200
1.6 / 1.8 16v Ecotec (Opel Family 1: Z16XER / Z18XER)
Camshaft phaser (variator) failure
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle / diesel-like noise, P0016–P0017 codes
Fix: Replace phasers and solenoids
€400–900
Ignition module (cassette)
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Misfire; oil from the cam cover gasket in plug wells
Fix: Replace module and cam cover gasket
€150–400
Thermostat housing / coolant leaks
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Coolant loss, overheating
Fix: Replace housing
€150–350
Oil cooler housing seal (oil in coolant)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Oil in the expansion tank
Fix: Replace oil cooler seals
€200–500
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Automatic (Aisin AF40 / GM 6T40 / 6T45)
6T40 / 6T45 3-5-R wave plate
usually 80,000–200,000 km · High risk
model years 2008–2017 only
Signs: Loss of 3rd, 5th and reverse
Fix: Replace the wave plate (gearbox rebuild)
€1,200–2,500
AF40 valve body / harsh shifts
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Harsh or flared shifts
Fix: Fluid change; valve body repair
€300–1,200
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.4 Twinport / Ecotec (Opel Family 0) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 3,912 tests.
| thousand km | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 8.6 % | 9.8 % | 9.7 % |
| Suspension | 23.1 % | 29.3 % | 32.9 % |
| Steering | 4.1 % | 6.0 % | 8.0 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 5.4 % | 7.5 % | 7.5 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 16.5 % | 25.8 % | 28.9 % |
| Body and corrosion | 4.7 % | 6.2 % | 8.0 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 3.9 % | 7.3 % | 10.4 % |
Roadworthiness tests in the Netherlands by age
Share of this model's Dutch fleet that had a defect in each system at a roadworthiness test (APK) in 2025. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and fuel. Sample: 2,601 cars.
| age (years) | 12–14 |
|---|---|
| Brakes | 3.2 % |
| Suspension | 16.5 % |
| Steering | 1.2 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 16.9 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 29.8 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.1 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 7.5 % |
Most common engine versions in the EU
New cars of this generation registered in the EU, Iceland and Norway 2010–2025: 49,344, of which 32 in Croatia. The share shows how common each version is.
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.4 Twinport / Ecotec (Opel Family 0)1.2 (1,229 cm³) · 63 kW (86 hp) · Petrol | 39.3 % | 2012–2015 | — | — |
| 1.3 MultiJet / CDTI / DDiS / TDCi1.2 (1,248 cm³) · 55 kW (75 hp) · Diesel | 13.7 % | 2012–2015 | — | — |
| 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.4 Twinport / Ecotec (Opel Family 0)1.2 (1,229 cm³) · 51 kW (69 hp) · Petrol | 13.2 % | 2012–2015 | — | — |
| 1.3 MultiJet / CDTI / DDiS / TDCi1.2 (1,248 cm³) · 70 kW (95 hp) · Diesel | 10.9 % | 2012–2015 | — | — |
| 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.4 Twinport / Ecotec (Opel Family 0)1.4 (1,398 cm³) · 74 kW (101 hp) · Petrol | 7.6 % | 2012–2015 | — | — |
| 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.4 Twinport / Ecotec (Opel Family 0)1.2 (1,206 cm³) · 62 kW (84 hp) · Petrol | 6.6 % | 2012–2013 | — | — |
| 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.4 Twinport / Ecotec (Opel Family 0)1.2 (1,229 cm³) · Petrol | 3.8 % | 2012–2014 | — | — |
| 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.4 Twinport / Ecotec (Opel Family 0)1.4 (1,398 cm³) · Petrol | 1.4 % | 2012–2014 | — | — |
| PetrolPetrol | 1.2 % | 2012–2014 | — | — |
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 82 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (4). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Airbag Chevrolet Takata Driver’s Airbag04/02/2025 · R/2025/036
- Fuel system Under vehicle rollover conditions fuel may leak03/05/2016 · R/2016/075
- Engine / loss of power Vehicle may move unintendedly when gears are engaged19/01/2015 · R/2015/010
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Braking efficiency may be affected28/08/2012 · R/2012/090
Common questions
Does the Chevrolet Aveo have a timing chain or a timing belt?
1.0 / 1.2 / 1.4 Twinport / Ecotec (Opel Family 0): chain; 1.0 / 1.2 16v (GM B-series: Spark, Aveo): chain; 1.3 MultiJet / CDTI / DDiS / TDCi: chain; 1.6 / 1.8 16v Ecotec (Opel Family 1: Z16XER / Z18XER): belt · 120,000 km / every 96 mo.
What are the known problems with the Chevrolet Aveo?
The faults with the highest risk: 6T40 / 6T45 3-5-R wave plate (80,000–200,000 km, €1,200–2,500); EGR / DPF (100,000–180,000 km, €250–1,200); AF40 valve body / harsh shifts (100,000–200,000 km, €300–1,200); timing chain stretch (150,000–220,000 km, €500–1,000). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Chevrolet Aveo most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: suspension (29.3 %), lights, wipers and visibility (25.8 %), brakes (9.8 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: suspension, steering, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
What should you check when buying a used Chevrolet Aveo?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (4 have been published for this model). If the engine has a timing belt, ask for the invoice for its replacement: with no proof, assume it has not been done. On the test drive, watch for these signs: loss of 3rd, 5th and reverse; limp mode. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Other generations
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Opel Corsa D 2006–2014Opel Corsa E 2014–2019Opel Astra J 2009–2015Ford Ka II 2008–2016Fiat Panda II 2003–2012Opel Meriva B 2010–2017Suzuki Swift IV 2010–2017Opel Combo C 2001–2011
Other Chevrolet models
Chevrolet Orlando 2011–2015Chevrolet Spark 2010–2015Chevrolet Cruze 2009–2015Chevrolet Trax 2013–2015Chevrolet Captiva 2006–2015
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026