Photo: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Benespit, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Mick from Northamptonshire, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
City car sold in Europe from 2010 to 2015, before the Chevrolet brand withdrew from the continent at the end of 2015: aftersales service and recalls remain handled by the manufacturer. Euro NCAP gave it 4 stars (2009 test). Two recalls concern safety (bonnet catch, gearbox mount): check that they have been carried out.
- Reliability
- not rated
- Indicative prices
- €3,500 – €4,000
- Monthly cost
- €251
- Euro NCAP
- 4/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 1.0 68, 1.2 81.
1.0 68
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 68 hp · 5.1 L/100 km · 119 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2
1.0 16-valve, 995 cc and 93 Nm, 5-speed manual gearbox. The simplest version.
1.2 81
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 81 hp · 5.1 L/100 km · 119 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2
1.2 16-valve, 1,206 cc and 111 Nm, 5-speed manual gearbox: slightly more responsive than the 1.0.
1.2 GPL
Petrol · Manual · 79 hp · Crit'Air 2
1.2 bi-fuel petrol and LPG, 5-speed manual gearbox. Power given as 79 hp by L'argus and 81 hp by La Centrale.
Market prices
€3,500 – €4,000
Indicative range: 2010 to 2013, yearly medians of 72 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
Corroded bonnet catch (recall)
Manufacturer recallA fault in the bonnet's safety catch, caused by heavy corrosion that stops it returning to the closed position, can allow the bonnet to open while driving. L'argus reports a recall in France of 33,061 vehicles from the 2009 to 2014 model years; the remedy is replacement of the catch. In the United States, GM had to relaunch a recall for 2013-2015 Sparks because the first remedy (2014) had not solved the problem (Autoblog).
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
- 1.0 68, 1.2 81, 1.2 GPL
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Gearbox mount failure (recall)
Manufacturer recallAn October 2014 recall covers the gearbox mount, which can break while driving and interrupt the transmission of torque to the wheels. L'argus cites 2,378 vehicles of the 2013 and 2014 model years within a given serial number range; Fiches-Auto mentions nearly 2,400 vehicles.
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
- 1.0 68, 1.2 81, 1.2 GPL
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Chevrolet Spark”). 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
| Fuel or electricity | €126 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €52 |
| Maintenance | €33 |
| Depreciation | €40 |
| Total per month | €251 |
⚠ 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 (petrol)€126
1.0 68 version: combined consumption of 5.1 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
5.1 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €126
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
Consumption: technical data for the version (sources at the bottom of the guide).
- Insurance€52
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€33
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€40
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Chevrolet Spark II — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Ask a Chevrolet dealer, with the serial number, whether the bonnet catch and gearbox mount recalls have been carried out.
- Check the condition of the bonnet catch and the corrosion under the bonnet and on the bodywork.
- Road test: gear changes on the manual gearbox, and any noises or jerks on acceleration and when lifting off.
- Have the engine fault codes read and check that there is no warning light on.
- LPG: check the certificate and the condition of the tank and installation, and that the engine switches cleanly from one fuel to the other.
- Check the service book and the oil change invoices.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have the recalls (bonnet catch, gearbox mount) been carried out at Chevrolet? Do you have proof?
- Where has the car been serviced, and do you have the oil change invoices?
- For the LPG: when were the tank and installation last checked?
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.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Makizox, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hyundai i10
II · 2013–2019
- Price
- €3,900 – €9,100
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
Photo: Jakub "flyz1" Maciejewski, CC BY-SA 3.0
Kia Picanto
III · since 2017
- Price
- €8,890 – €17,899
- Reliability
- 5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fiat Panda
III · since 2012
- Price
- €4,500 – €19,000
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Suzuki Swift
IV · 2017–2024
- Price
- €10,000 – €16,400
- Reliability
- not rated
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Hybrid
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 Spark II (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
Can a Chevrolet Spark still be repaired in France?
Chevrolet withdrew from the European market at the end of 2015; GM stated that warranties, parts and services would remain provided for cars already sold (Auto Infos, withdrawal announced in December 2013).
What Euro NCAP rating did the Chevrolet Spark get?
4 stars, with 69 points out of 100 according to autoevolution: stability control was not standard at the time of the test (2009).
What is the boot capacity?
170 litres with the rear seats in place according to Caradisiac, up to 568 litres with the rear seats folded down.
Found a listing?
Soon, we will analyse your Chevrolet Spark listing: price, mileage, watch points.
Get notified at launch