At a Glance
The Chevrolet Kalos has 16 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the Kalos (2005-2008) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 161K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Chevrolet Kalos common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Chevrolet Kalos generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Chevrolet Kalos Generations
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Most Common Chevrolet Kalos MOT Failures
Every reason Chevrolet Kalos vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 13.93% |
| 2 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 10.02% |
| 3 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 6.58% |
| 4 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.79% |
| 5 | Tyre condition | 5.75% |
| 6 | Windscreen washer not working | 5.05% |
| 7 | Front lamp not working | 4.95% |
| 8 | Track rod end worn | 4.71% |
| 9 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.37% |
| 10 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.19% |
| 11 | Position lamp not working | 2.68% |
| 12 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.36% |
| 13 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.20% |
| 14 | Stop lamp not working | 2.09% |
| 15 | Driveshaft fault | 2.07% |
| 16 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 2.00% |
| 17 | Exhaust system fault | 1.94% |
| 18 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.80% |
| 19 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.66% |
| 20 | Mirror damaged or missing | 1.06% |
| 21 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.01% |
| 22 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.96% |
| 23 | Indicator fault | 0.90% |
| 24 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.89% |
| 25 | Headlamp fault | 0.82% |
| 26 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.77% |
| 27 | Steering rack fault | 0.73% |
| 28 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.66% |
| 29 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.61% |
| 30 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.58% |
| 31 | Airbag warning light on | 0.48% |
| 32 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.47% |
| 33 | Parking brake condition | 0.47% |
| 34 | Chassis condition | 0.45% |
| 35 | Horn not working | 0.40% |
| 36 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.37% |
| 37 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.33% |
| 38 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.31% |
| 39 | Fog lamp not working | 0.28% |
| 40 | Front suspension fault | 0.26% |
| 41 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.24% |
| 42 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.23% |
| 43 | Rear lamp not working | 0.21% |
| 44 | Engine oil leak | 0.19% |
| 45 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.19% |
| 46 | Rear suspension fault | 0.18% |
| 47 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.18% |
| 48 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.16% |
| 49 | Brake lever fault | 0.16% |
| 50 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.15% |
| 51 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.14% |
| 52 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.11% |
| 53 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.11% |
| 54 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.11% |
| 55 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.10% |
| 56 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.09% |
| 57 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.08% |
| 58 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.08% |
| 59 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.06% |
| 60 | Brake caliper fault | 0.06% |
| 61 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.06% |
| 62 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.06% |
| 63 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.05% |
| 64 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.05% |
| 65 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.05% |
| 66 | Passenger seat fault | 0.05% |
| 67 | Brake fluid leak | 0.04% |
| 68 | Suspension unit fault | 0.04% |
| 69 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.04% |
| 70 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 71 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.03% |
| 72 | Seat belt condition | 0.03% |
| 73 | Brake pedal fault | 0.03% |
| 74 | Drag link end worn | 0.03% |
| 75 | Front passenger door fault | 0.03% |
| 76 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 77 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 78 | Propshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 79 | Driver airbag fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Electrical switch fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 83 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 84 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 85 | Steering arm worn | 0.02% |
| 86 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 88 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.02% |
| 89 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 91 | Body security fault | 0.01% |
| 92 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.01% |
| 93 | Passenger airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 94 | Power steering pump fault | 0.01% |
| 95 | Steering free play excessive | 0.01% |
| 96 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 97 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 98 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 99 | Steering lock fault | <0.01% |
| 100 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 101 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 102 | Steering operation fault | <0.01% |
| 103 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 104 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 105 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 106 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 107 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 109 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 110 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 111 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 117 | ABS fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 119 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 121 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 124 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Handbrake cable fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 129 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 130 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 131 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 135 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 138 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 139 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 140 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 144 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 145 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 146 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 148 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 150 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 151 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 152 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Chevrolet Kalos MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Chevrolet Kalos, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Chevrolet Kalos problems?
Based on analysis of 161K Chevrolet Kalos MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 16 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "ABS fault". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Chevrolet Kalos generation has the most problems?
The Chevrolet Kalos Kalos (2005-2008) (2005–2008) has the highest number of identified common problems (28). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Chevrolet Kalos?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Chevrolet Kalos owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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