At a Glance
Daewoo has 108 identified common problems across 12 models, with the Matiz being the most affected model and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 1.2M 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 how we identify common car problems →
Below: per-model breakdowns of Daewoo common problems, MOT failure rates by category, pass-rate data, and repair patterns drawn from 1.2M DVSA MOT tests across 20 years. Click any model to see generation-specific issues, mileage-banded fault patterns, and the most common MOT failures recorded by UK testers.
MOT Tests & Failures by Model
Top Daewoo models by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that model's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Daewoo Common Problems by Model
Select a model to see problems by generation
Showing top 9 by MOT test volume — search to find any of 12 Daewoo models.
Matiz
Most common: Brakes
Lanos
Most common: Brakes
Kalos
Most common: Suspension
Nubira
Most common: Brakes
Tacuma
Most common: Brakes
Nexia
Most common: Brakes
Leganza
Most common: Brakes
Lacetti
Most common: Brakes
Espero
Most common: Brakes
Most Common Daewoo MOT Failures
Every reason Daewoo 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 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 21.71% |
| 2 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 6.35% |
| 3 | Brake pads or linings worn | 5.56% |
| 4 | Exhaust system fault | 5.17% |
| 5 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.57% |
| 6 | Tyre condition | 4.15% |
| 7 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.12% |
| 8 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.19% |
| 9 | Driveshaft fault | 2.85% |
| 10 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 2.84% |
| 11 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 2.76% |
| 12 | Suspension mounting corroded | 2.37% |
| 13 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.21% |
| 14 | Stop lamp not working | 2.11% |
| 15 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.09% |
| 16 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.96% |
| 17 | Front lamp not working | 1.90% |
| 18 | Parking brake condition | 1.50% |
| 19 | Track rod end worn | 1.46% |
| 20 | Fog lamp not working | 1.11% |
| 21 | Rear lamp not working | 1.08% |
| 22 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.08% |
| 23 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.08% |
| 24 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.01% |
| 25 | Rear suspension fault | 0.90% |
| 26 | Seat belt condition | 0.87% |
| 27 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.84% |
| 28 | Headlamp fault | 0.80% |
| 29 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.78% |
| 30 | Indicator fault | 0.72% |
| 31 | Position lamp not working | 0.65% |
| 32 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.64% |
| 33 | Steering rack fault | 0.60% |
| 34 | Front suspension fault | 0.56% |
| 35 | Horn not working | 0.54% |
| 36 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.53% |
| 37 | Chassis condition | 0.51% |
| 38 | Airbag warning light on | 0.50% |
| 39 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.46% |
| 40 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.34% |
| 41 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.32% |
| 42 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.32% |
| 43 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.31% |
| 44 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.27% |
| 45 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.26% |
| 46 | ABS fault | 0.23% |
| 47 | Brake fluid leak | 0.18% |
| 48 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.18% |
| 49 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.18% |
| 50 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.17% |
| 51 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.14% |
| 52 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.13% |
| 53 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.13% |
| 54 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.12% |
| 55 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.12% |
| 56 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.12% |
| 57 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.10% |
| 58 | Brake pedal fault | 0.09% |
| 59 | Brake caliper fault | 0.09% |
| 60 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.09% |
| 61 | Power steering ram fault | 0.08% |
| 62 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.07% |
| 63 | Steering arm worn | 0.07% |
| 64 | Steering lock fault | 0.06% |
| 65 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.06% |
| 66 | Steering free play excessive | 0.06% |
| 67 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.06% |
| 68 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.06% |
| 69 | Steering column fault | 0.05% |
| 70 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.05% |
| 71 | Steering operation fault | 0.05% |
| 72 | Brake lever fault | 0.05% |
| 73 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 74 | Engine oil leak | 0.05% |
| 75 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.05% |
| 76 | Electrical switch fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Body security fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.04% |
| 79 | CV joint worn | 0.04% |
| 80 | Driver airbag fault | 0.04% |
| 81 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.04% |
| 82 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.04% |
| 83 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 84 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 85 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.03% |
| 86 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.03% |
| 87 | Power steering pump fault | 0.03% |
| 88 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.03% |
| 89 | Drag link end worn | 0.03% |
| 90 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.03% |
| 91 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 92 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 93 | Suspension unit fault | 0.03% |
| 94 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 96 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 97 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.02% |
| 98 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 99 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Steering drive system fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.01% |
| 103 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 104 | Additional braking device fault | 0.01% |
| 105 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 106 | Steering coupling worn | 0.01% |
| 107 | Driver door fault | 0.01% |
| 108 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.01% |
| 109 | Passenger airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 114 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 115 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 117 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 119 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 120 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 125 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 126 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 127 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Electronic stability control fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 132 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 138 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 139 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 140 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 142 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 143 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 144 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 146 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 148 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 149 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 150 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 152 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 154 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 156 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 159 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 166 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 168 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 169 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 171 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 172 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 173 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 174 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 181 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
Showing all 181 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Daewoo MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for Daewoo, 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 Daewoo problems?
Based on analysis of 1.2M Daewoo MOT tests from DVSA data, Daewoo has 108 identified common problems across 12 models. The Daewoo Matiz has the most recorded problems. Brakes issues are the most common category.
Which Daewoo model has the most problems?
By total identified common problems, the Daewoo Matiz has the highest count with 61 problems. This is partly because it is one of the more popular Daewoo models on UK roads. See the models grid for a 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 Daewoo?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Daewoo owners spot problems early. We review all submissions before they are published.
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