Ignition coil
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Misfire
Fix: Replace
€60–150
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Chevrolet Spark
2010–2015
1
engines covered
4
known faults
14,690
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
6
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Chevrolet Spark was built from 2010 to 2015.
For this generation we cover 1 engines and 4 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode): it usually appears at 100,000–200,000 km and costs €300–1,500 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (29.7 %), brakes (18.4 %), suspension (14.4 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: brakes, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion. It fails less often than average on: steering.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 / 1.2 16v (GM B-series: Spark, Aveo) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 · dexos2 · ~3.75 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
1.0 / 1.2 16v (GM B-series: Spark, Aveo)
Thermostat housing leak
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Coolant loss
Fix: Replace housing
€80–200
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Automatic 4-speed (AF13 / AF17 / 4T40)
Solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Harsh shifts, stuck in 3rd, gearbox warning
Fix: Fluid change, solenoid / valve body repair
€300–1,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.0 / 1.2 16v (GM B-series: Spark, Aveo) 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: 14,690 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 12.2 % | 16.3 % | 18.4 % | 19.5 % |
| Suspension | 6.4 % | 11.2 % | 14.4 % | 19.4 % |
| Steering | 0.2 % | 1.6 % | 2.1 % | 2.9 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 3.4 % | 6.6 % | 7.3 % | 9.4 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 14.7 % | 23.9 % | 29.7 % | 32.4 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.7 % | 2.9 % | 6.3 % | 9.0 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.8 % | 1.7 % | 3.7 % | 4.9 % |
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: 16,582 cars.
| age (years) | 12–14 | 15–19 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 11.2 % | 13.3 % |
| Suspension | 8.7 % | 8.1 % |
| Steering | 1.1 % | 1.5 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 18.6 % | 18.8 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 36.1 % | 36.7 % |
| Body and corrosion | 1.2 % | 0.9 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 5.2 % | 5.2 % |
Most common engine versions in the EU
New cars of this generation registered in the EU, Iceland and Norway 2010–2025: 162,280, of which 42 in Croatia. The share shows how common each version is.
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 / 1.2 16v (GM B-series: Spark, Aveo)1.0 (995 cm³) · 50 kW (68 hp) · Petrol | 47.1 % | 2011–2015 | — | — |
| 1.0 / 1.2 16v (GM B-series: Spark, Aveo)1.0 (995 cm³) · Petrol | 24.4 % | 2010–2015 | — | — |
| 1.0 / 1.2 16v (GM B-series: Spark, Aveo)1.2 (1,206 cm³) · 60 kW (82 hp) · Petrol | 12.0 % | 2011–2015 | — | — |
| 1.0 / 1.2 16v (GM B-series: Spark, Aveo)1.2 (1,206 cm³) · Petrol | 9.1 % | 2010–2015 | — | — |
| 1.0 / 1.2 16v (GM B-series: Spark, Aveo)1.0 (995 cm³) · 48 kW (65 hp) · Petrol | 5.8 % | 2011–2014 | — | — |
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: 352 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (6). 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.
- Gearbox Chevrolet UK Spark Hood Striker Replacement14/12/2023 · R/2024/003
- Gearbox Clutch pedal may fail28/04/2015 · R/2015/087
- Doors / locks / lids Secondary bonnet catch may not engage06/02/2015 · R/2015/017
- Wheels / tyres Loss of transmission11/11/2014 · R/2014/152
- Suspension / axles Transmission mount failure may cause loss of drive03/02/2014 · R/2014/022
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Clutch and gear selection may be lost02/01/2014 · R/2013/148
Common questions
Does the Chevrolet Spark have a timing chain or a timing belt?
1.0 / 1.2 16v (GM B-series: Spark, Aveo): chain.
What are the known problems with the Chevrolet Spark?
The faults with the highest risk: solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode) (100,000–200,000 km, €300–1,500); clutch wear (120,000–200,000 km, €500–900). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Chevrolet Spark most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (29.7 %), brakes (18.4 %), suspension (14.4 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: brakes, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion. It fails less often than average on: steering.
What should you check when buying a used Chevrolet Spark?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (6 have been published for this model). On the test drive, watch for these signs: harsh shifts, stuck in 3rd, gearbox warning; slipping, high bite point. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Other Chevrolet models
Chevrolet Cruze 2009–2015Chevrolet Orlando 2011–2015Chevrolet Trax 2013–2015Chevrolet Aveo (T250) 2006–2011Chevrolet 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