2006 Chevrolet Kalos — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,953 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Chevrolet Kalos, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 66.6% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 41.3% in the 120-150k group versus 21.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.3% | 859 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 834 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.3% | 709 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.9% | 440 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 403 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.9% | 343 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 445 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 439 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 431 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 401 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 326 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 325 |
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 | 37.4% | 1,850 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.0% | 1,438 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.2% | 1,399 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.2% | 1,051 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.1% | 947 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.6% | 723 |
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 | 326 | 21.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,754 | 30.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,906 | 34.8% |
| 90-120k | 731 | 38.7% |
| 120-150k | 206 | 41.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,578 | 34.8% |
| 2022 | 1,168 | 33.1% |
| 2023 | 940 | 32.5% |
| 2024 | 710 | 32.4% |
| 2025 | 557 | 32.9% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Kalos
Before buying a 2006 Chevrolet Kalos, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 17.3% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (17.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (16.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.3% 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
How many 2006 Chevrolet Kaloss pass their MOT?
66.6% of the 4,953 2006 Chevrolet Kalos MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Chevrolet Kalos?
Suspension, recorded in 17.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (16.8%).
Does the 2006 Kalos get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.2% in the 0-30k band to 41.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,953 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.