Family hatchback · 2004–2011 cars
Chevrolet Lacetti reliability
The Chevrolet Lacetti fails 52.3% of first MOT tests, 39% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 8,809 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Chevrolet Lacetti before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 52.3%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 39% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 8,809
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,000
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Chevrolet Lacetti ages
Each point is the share of Chevrolet Lacettis of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Chevrolet Lacetti | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 50.9% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 47.5% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 50.4% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 52% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 54.6% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 53.3% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 53.2% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 59% | 43.5% |
By year
The best and worst Chevrolet Lacetti years
2007 cars come out best and 2006 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 377 | 47.2% | 40% more fails | 71,653 |
| 2010 | 772 | 47.9% | 38% more fails | 70,963 |
| 2009 Lacetti | 2,079 | 50.9% | 38% more fails | 71,222 |
| 2008 Lacetti | 2,109 | 52% | 38% more fails | 72,374 |
| 2007 Lacetti | 1,598 | 52.6% | 35% more fails | 74,033 |
| 2006 Lacetti | 1,219 | 58.2% | 48% more fails | 74,680 |
| 2005 | 654 | 54% | 39% more fails | 68,568 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Chevrolet Lacetti
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 358% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics27.2%62% above avg
- Brakes22.7%145% above avg
- Suspension20.1%46% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure11.4%100% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors9.1%48% above avg
- Tyres8.5%32% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.7%62% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags6.7%358% above avg
- Steering4%56% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 8.62% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Stop lamp not working 6.99% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 6.52% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.59% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.39% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 6
Service brake excessively binding 4.28% of tests
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
- 7
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 4.04% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 8
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.97% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Chevrolet Lacetti's MOT certificate most often.
- Engine oil leak, not excessive26.77%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy18.58%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit17.11%
- Brake disc pitted or scored11.4%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.24%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.24%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Chevrolet Lacetti
- 1
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.
- 2
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 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 typical Chevrolet Lacetti covers about 6,000 miles a year. A big gap or 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
- Petrol99.8%
- Diesel0.1%
- LPG0.1%
- Other0%
Most common colours
Silver, Blue, Black, Green, Red
Average engine size: 1.6 litres.
Compare
How the Chevrolet Lacetti compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Skoda Scala | 11.5% | 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo 147 | 44.7% | 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Escort | 38.9% | 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Rover 45 | 43.9% | 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Veloster | 36.2% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MG GS | 21.3% | 31% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Lacetti | 52.3% | 39% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Chevrolet models.
Questions
Chevrolet Lacetti questions, answered
Is the Chevrolet Lacetti reliable?
On MOT results, the Chevrolet Lacetti is well below average: it fails 52.3% of first MOT tests, 39% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 63 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Chevrolet Lacetti MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Chevrolet Lacetti are position lamp not working (8.62% of tests), stop lamp not working (6.99% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (6.52% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 27.2% of its tests.
Which Chevrolet Lacetti year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2007 cars do best (35% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2006 cars do worst (48% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Chevrolet Lacetti do a year?
A typical Chevrolet Lacetti covers about 6,000 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Chevrolet Lacetti 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.
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