Chevrolet Kalos MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 14 model years and 22,597 tests, the Chevrolet Kalos passes its MOT 67.1% of the time. Against superminis of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the Kalos comes out 5.2pp worse. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.4%) and suspension (17.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, headlamp aim and component mounting prescribed areas — pins and bushes alone was recorded 2,002 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.1% in the 0-30k band and 43.8% in the 150k+ band, a 20.8-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 37.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every Kalos model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 4,037 | 65.9% | 34.1% | Suspension |
| 2006 | 4,953 | 66.6% | 33.4% | Suspension |
| 2007 | 7,803 | 67.8% | 32.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2008 | 5,760 | 67.1% | 32.9% | Suspension |
| 2009 | 31 | 71.0% | 29.0% | Suspension |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 3,928 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.1% | 3,869 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.0% | 3,171 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.1% | 1,829 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.3% | 1,655 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 1,599 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 1,301 |
| 8 | Tyres | 5.4% | 1,214 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 2,002 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,950 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,844 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 1,766 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 1,732 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 1,691 |
| 7 | Position lamp | 1,418 |
| 8 | Wipers | 1,160 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 37.1% | 8,375 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.1% | 7,039 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.7% | 6,484 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.4% | 4,605 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.9% | 4,045 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.8% | 3,123 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,504 | 23.1% |
| 30-60k | 8,345 | 30.3% |
| 60-90k | 8,778 | 34.7% |
| 90-120k | 3,050 | 37.5% |
| 120-150k | 567 | 40.0% |
| 150k+ | 89 | 43.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,976 | 33.1% |
| 2022 | 5,430 | 32.6% |
| 2023 | 4,389 | 32.9% |
| 2024 | 3,296 | 33.2% |
| 2025 | 2,506 | 33.0% |
What to check before buying a Chevrolet Kalos
- Lighting & signalling (17.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (14.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Chevrolet Kalos?
67.1% of the 22,597 Chevrolet Kalos MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 32.9% fail rate, across model years 2004–2017.
What does the Chevrolet Kalos most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.4% of tests, then suspension (17.1%).
How much does mileage affect Kalos MOT results?
Fail rates run at 23.1% for cars in the 0-30k band and 43.8% for 150k+, a 20.8-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,597 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.