Is the Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
57% of the 48 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 58/100 — it scores a little below average.
48
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections58/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10057%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%Across 48 used Chevrolet Silverados we inspected, this model scores a little below average — average condition 58/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.
What we found
Most common faults
Oil leaks · Engine
42%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
35%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
35%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
25%
Oil leaks · Drivetrain
23%
Share of inspected Chevrolet Silverados where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 17%
Good 40%
Mediocre 19%
Poor 25%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
63%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
2%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
19%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 24%
How long does a Silverado stay good?
Good cars by mileage
Share of Chevrolet Silverados in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.
More on Chevrolet
Other Chevrolet models we've inspected — or see the full Chevrolet profile.
Straight from recent Chevrolet Silverado reports
2015 Chevrolet Silverado · 185k mi — flagged: smoothness, oil leaks, oil sludge. Inspected Sep 21.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado · 144k mi — flagged: low coolant / cooling system issues, oil leaks, fault codes recently cleared. Inspected Sep 8.
The bottom line
Don't get distracted by the bodywork. These trucks fail on the engine: oil leaks and fuel-trim problems are what you will actually pay for. Get under it, check drips from the engine and drivetrain, and scan for live codes before any handshake. Tires are often worn, so knock that off the price. Walk if the leaks are active and codes are still there, or if the truck already looks beaten. Plenty of these sit in poor shape, so be ready to leave rather than fall in love with a tired example.
FAQ
?
?
What are the most common problems on a used Chevrolet Silverado?
The items we flag most often are oil leaks (42%), tires condition & wear (35%), fuel trim out of range (35%). Have these checked before buying.
?
Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 19% of these cars the ECU codes had been erased shortly before sale, which can hide active faults. Ask for a diagnostic scan and start the engine from cold.
Thinking of buying a Chevrolet Silverado? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
Book an inspection
Based on 48 inspections · updated Oct 1, 2026
