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Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Used Chevrolet Cruze I: the buying guide

Hatchback · 2009–2015 · Petrol, Diesel

✓ 21 sources cited · updated on 13 October 2026

Good choice, check first
Reliability
4.0/5
Estimated monthly cost
€264/month
Indicative prices
€4,400 – €5,000

3 known faults

Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo 1 of 5

Chevrolet Cruze I, front three-quarter view

Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Verdict

Good choice, check first

Compact (saloon, 5-door and SW estate) with very good occupant protection: 5 stars at Euro NCAP in 2009. Chevrolet left Europe at the end of 2015, which complicates aftersales follow-up. Keep an eye on the cooling system of the 1.4 Turbo and 1.8 petrol engines, the particulate filter of the 2.0 VCDi, and have the driver airbag recall checked.

Reliability
4.0/5
Indicative prices
€4,400 – €5,000
Monthly cost
€264
Euro NCAP
5/5

Which version to choose

Versions to favour: 1.7 VCDi 131 ch.

  • 1.6 124 ch

    Petrol · Manual · 124 hp · Crit'Air 2

    Entry-level petrol, 5-speed manual gearbox. Described by owners as flat at low revs.

  • 1.8 141 ch

    Petrol · Manual · 141 hp · Crit'Air 2

    More generous petrol engine; some owners find it a little weak below 4,000 rpm. A 6-speed automatic gearbox is reported by some owners.

  • 1.4 Turbo 140 ch

    Petrol · Manual · 140 hp · 5.7 L/100 km · 134 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2

    Turbo petrol: 140 hp and 200 Nm. See the point to watch on cooling.

  • 1.7 VCDi 131 ch

    ✓ Recommended

    Diesel · Manual · 131 hp · 4.5 L/100 km · Crit'Air 3

    The most economical diesel in the range (4.5 L/100 km claimed according to La Tribune Auto).

  • 2.0 VCDi 163 ch

    Diesel · Manual · 163 hp · 5.8 L/100 km · Crit'Air 3

    163 hp, 360 Nm diesel, quiet according to owners. See the point to watch on the particulate filter.

  • 2.0 VCDi 163 ch automatique

    Diesel · Automatic · 163 hp · Crit'Air 3

    The only engine listed with the 6-speed automatic gearbox, according to La Tribune Auto (SW).

Market prices

€4,400 – €5,000

Indicative range: 2011 to 2013, yearly medians of 31 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).

Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.

Known faults

Cooling system leaks (1.4 Turbo and 1.8 petrol)

Severity 2/3 · Costly

On the 1.4 Turbo and 1.8 petrol engines, the plastic thermostat housing, its seal and the water pump are frequent leak points (CarParts.com, GoodMecano). Fiches-auto reports accounts of significant leaks at around 60,000 km and a broken water pump at 69,500 km. Untreated coolant loss can lead to overheating.

Versions
1.4 Turbo 140 ch, 1.8 141 ch
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Clogged particulate filter (2.0 VCDi)

Severity 2/3 · Costly

The DPF is the most reported fault on the 163 hp 2.0 VCDi (Fiches-auto): owners describe clogging and the car going into limp mode. Short urban journeys encourage build-up, so regular cleaning sessions should be expected (Carbon-cleaning).

Versions
2.0 VCDi 163 ch, 2.0 VCDi 163 ch automatique
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Driver airbag: gas generator to be replaced (recall)

Manufacturer recall

The propellant in the driver airbag gas generator can deteriorate over time; on deployment, metal fragments could be thrown towards the occupants. The campaign concerns Cruzes built between December 2008 and January 2017 (Rapex). Check the serial number with an authorised repairer.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
1.6 124 ch, 1.8 141 ch, 1.4 Turbo 140 ch, 1.7 VCDi 131 ch, 2.0 VCDi 163 ch, 2.0 VCDi 163 ch automatique
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

All faults by version and mileage →

Manufacturer recalls

See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Chevrolet Cruze”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.

Real monthly cost

Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated

Monthly cost by item
Fuel or electricity€121
Insurance€64
Maintenance€34
Depreciation€45
Total per month€264

⚠ Estimates to treat with caution

  • NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
  • Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
  • Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
Fuel (diesel)€121

1.7 VCDi 131 ch version: combined consumption of 4.5 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.347 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.

4.5 × 1.15 × 2.347 € × 10 = €121

Diesel price: French national average on 7 October 2026.

Insurance€64

Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.

Maintenance€34

Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.

Depreciation€45

Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.

Inspection checklist

Things to check

  • Check by VIN that the driver airbag recall has been carried out, and ask for proof.
  • 1.4 Turbo or 1.8 petrol: look for traces of coolant around the thermostat housing and the water pump, and check the level.
  • 2.0 VCDi diesel: ask for the history of DPF regenerations or cleaning, and look for any warning light or limp mode.
  • Check the service book: Chevrolet no longer exists in Europe, so the history is valuable.
  • Make sure a nearby garage can supply parts before buying.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Has the driver airbag recall been carried out? Do you have proof?
  • Has the cooling system (water pump, thermostat) been repaired or replaced?
  • For the diesel: has the DPF already been cleaned or replaced, and how has the car been used (town or motorway)?

Test-drive tip: read the fault codes

A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.

See OBD2 scanners on Amazon → (new tab)Partner link

Electric or hybrid equivalent

No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost

Alternatives

Photo: Overlaet, CC BY-SA 3.0

Hyundai i30

II · 2012–2017

Good choice, check first
Price
€6,000 – €11,400
Reliability
4/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0

Toyota Auris

II · 2012–2018

Buy with care
Price
€8,500 – €15,000
Reliability
3.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

Photo: Cutlass, CC0

Renault Mégane

III · 2008–2016

Extra caution
Price
€3,244 – €10,990
Reliability
2.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de

Škoda Octavia

III · 2013–2020

Extra caution
Price
€9,495 – €18,900
Reliability
2.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Before you buy: check and equip

Check the history

Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.

Read fault codes

An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.

Parts and maintenance

Compare prices of parts for the Chevrolet Cruze I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.

Insure the car

Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.

Frequently asked questions

Has Chevrolet left Europe?

Yes: General Motors announced the withdrawal of the Chevrolet brand from the European market at the end of 2015, with the exception of the Corvette and Camaro (Auto Infos). Cruzes can still be serviced, but follow-up and recalls depend on a third-party network.

What is the Euro NCAP rating of the Chevrolet Cruze?

5 stars in 2009, with 96% for adult occupant protection, 84% for child occupant protection and 34% for pedestrian protection, which is its weak point (Caradisiac, Fleet News).

What is the Cruze's boot capacity?

About 450 litres for the saloon, 413 litres for the 5-door (Moniteur Automobile, Que Choisir) and about 500 litres for the SW estate (La Tribune Auto).

Found a listing?

Soon, we will analyse your Chevrolet Cruze listing: price, mileage, watch points.

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