2005 Chevrolet Lacetti — MOT failures & pass rate
1,524 MOT tests on the 2005 Chevrolet Lacetti are in this dataset, and 65.4% of them passed. That is 6.8 percentage points worse than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (19.0%) and lighting & signalling (18.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, prescribed areas and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 263 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 45.8% versus 31.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 35.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 35.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 39.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.0% | 289 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 287 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.8% | 210 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.9% | 151 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 9.3% | 141 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.1% | 123 |
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 | 263 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 128 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 123 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 119 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 98 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 98 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 35.9% | 547 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.8% | 515 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 31.6% | 481 |
| 4 | Tyres | 27.0% | 412 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 288 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.7% | 239 |
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 | 72 | 31.9% |
| 30-60k | 469 | 27.9% |
| 60-90k | 587 | 37.0% |
| 90-120k | 300 | 38.0% |
| 120-150k | 83 | 45.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 548 | 35.6% |
| 2022 | 370 | 32.2% |
| 2023 | 278 | 34.9% |
| 2024 | 186 | 32.3% |
| 2025 | 142 | 39.4% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Lacetti
On a 2005 Lacetti, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (19.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (18.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.8% 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 2005 Chevrolet Lacettis pass their MOT?
65.4% of the 1,524 2005 Chevrolet Lacetti MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Chevrolet Lacetti?
Suspension, recorded in 19.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (18.8%).
Does the 2005 Lacetti get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 31.9% in the 0-30k band to 45.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,524 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.