2007 Chevrolet Kalos — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,803 MOT tests, the 2007 Chevrolet Kalos recorded a 67.8% pass rate. Against superminis of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), the 2007 Kalos comes out 4.6pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.2%) and suspension (16.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and pins and bushes — headlamp alone was recorded 723 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 40.3% versus 23.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 1,423 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.0% | 1,247 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.2% | 1,109 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.8% | 607 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.4% | 581 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 495 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 723 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 718 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 709 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 617 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 576 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 525 |
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 | 36.8% | 2,873 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.6% | 2,547 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.3% | 2,285 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.0% | 1,640 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.8% | 1,310 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.4% | 1,042 |
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 | 461 | 23.6% |
| 30-60k | 2,829 | 28.7% |
| 60-90k | 3,163 | 34.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,086 | 36.3% |
| 120-150k | 149 | 40.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,374 | 32.5% |
| 2022 | 1,898 | 32.1% |
| 2023 | 1,509 | 31.7% |
| 2024 | 1,151 | 32.4% |
| 2025 | 871 | 31.8% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Kalos
On a 2007 Kalos, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.0% 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 (14.2% 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 2007 Chevrolet Kaloss pass their MOT?
67.8% of the 7,803 2007 Chevrolet Kalos MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Chevrolet Kalos?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.2% of tests, followed by suspension (16.0%).
Does the 2007 Kalos get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.6% in the 0-30k band to 40.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,803 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.