Small car · 2005–2010 cars
Chevrolet Kalos reliability
The Chevrolet Kalos fails 53.6% of first MOT tests, 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 10,324 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Chevrolet Kalos before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 53.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 44% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 10,324
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- –
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Chevrolet Kalos ages
Each point is the share of Chevrolet Kaloss of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Chevrolet Kalos | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | 52.5% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 53.1% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 51.2% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 56.3% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 51.8% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 57% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 53% | 43.4% |
By year
The best and worst Chevrolet Kalos years
2007 cars come out best and 2008 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Kalos | 2,605 | 53.6% | 50% more fails | 59,443 |
| 2007 Kalos | 3,591 | 52.7% | 41% more fails | 65,651 |
| 2006 Kalos | 2,262 | 53.6% | 43% more fails | 65,017 |
| 2005 Kalos | 1,846 | 55.6% | 45% more fails | 66,733 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Chevrolet Kalos
Its weak spot is steering: 304% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics24.9%50% above avg
- Suspension23.3%76% above avg
- Brakes19.2%104% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors11.1%72% above avg
- Steering10%304% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure10%66% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.9%64% above avg
- Tyres7.3%20% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags6%270% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 7.15% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 2
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 6.77% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Position lamp not working 6.65% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 6.35% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 5
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 5.01% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 6
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.87% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 7
Service brake excessively binding 4.65% of tests
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
- 8
ABS warning lamp shows a fault 4.37% of tests
A lit ABS warning means the anti-lock system may not work, so wheels could lock during emergency braking.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Chevrolet Kalos's MOT certificate most often.
- Engine oil leak, not excessive15.14%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit14.37%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy14.03%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear13.69%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking12.66%
- Headlamp lens has a coating6.53%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Chevrolet Kalos
- 1
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 2
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol99.9%
- Diesel0%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Silver, Blue, Red, Black, Grey
Average engine size: 1.3 litres.
Compare
How the Chevrolet Kalos compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Cube | 29.3% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MG ZR | 37.5% | 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Rover Mini | 29.1% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Starlet | 34.6% | 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Rover 25 | 39.7% | 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Grand Modus | 47.8% | 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Kalos | 53.6% | 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Chevrolet models.
Questions
Chevrolet Kalos questions, answered
Is the Chevrolet Kalos reliable?
On MOT results, the Chevrolet Kalos is well below average: it fails 53.6% of first MOT tests, 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 56 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Chevrolet Kalos MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Chevrolet Kalos are suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (7.15% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (6.77% of tests), position lamp not working (6.65% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 24.9% of its tests.
Which Chevrolet Kalos year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2007 cars do best (41% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2008 cars do worst (50% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How do I check a Chevrolet Kalos before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
Found a Chevrolet Kalos? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.