1998 Daewoo Lanos — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 276 MOT tests, the 1998 Daewoo Lanos recorded a 66.7% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 25.8% of the time, so this is 7.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 21.0% of all tests — 7.2 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, headlamp and component mounting prescribed areas — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 26 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 34.2% in the 30-60k band and 43.6% in the 90-120k band, a 9.4-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 43.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 36.2% in 2021 to 29.0% in 2024, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.0% | 58 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.8% | 38 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.0% | 36 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 21 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.6% | 21 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 16 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 26 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 25 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 23 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 22 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 18 |
| 6 | Washers | 13 |
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 | 43.5% | 120 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.0% | 91 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.5% | 62 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 22.1% | 61 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.6% | 54 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.6% | 43 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 111 | 34.2% |
| 60-90k | 99 | 33.3% |
| 90-120k | 39 | 43.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 94 | 36.2% |
| 2022 | 70 | 31.4% |
| 2023 | 55 | 34.5% |
| 2024 | 31 | 29.0% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Lanos
On a 1998 Lanos, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.0% 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.
- Suspension (13.0% 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.
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 1998 Daewoo Lanoss pass their MOT?
66.7% of the 276 1998 Daewoo Lanos MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Daewoo Lanos?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.0% of tests, followed by brakes (13.8%).
Does the 1998 Lanos get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 34.2% in the 30-60k band to 43.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 276 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.