MOT data
Chevrolet Kalos MOT fail rate by age and year
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 9,354 MOT tests · Updated
At 17 years, 55.1% of Chevrolet Kalos MOT tests ended in a fail (adjusted to typical mileage), against 43.4% for all class 4 vehicles tested at 17 (2,752 MOT tests) [1].
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- Suspension: fails 1.2–1.4× as often as cars the same age at 17 years, 628 of 2,752 MOT tests
- Mileage: median 64,027 miles at 17 years against 105,023 for all class 4 vehicles, 2,752 MOT tests
- Before the mileage adjustment: 53.1% of MOT tests at 17 years ended in a fail, 2,752 MOT tests
Which engine and year a car has decides which of these apply. Check the reg first.
Figures are for the model, not one car, and compare with all class 4 vehicles tested at 17 in the same test year.
- Fail rate at 17 years, typical mileage
- 55.1%
- vs 43.4% for all class 4 vehicles tested at 17
- 2,752 MOT tests
- Fail rate at 17 years, raw
- 53.1%
- vs 43.4% for all class 4 vehicles tested at 17
- 2,752 MOT tests
- Median mileage at 17 years
- 64,027 mi
- vs 105,023 mi for all class 4 vehicles
- 2,752 MOT tests
Chevrolet Kalos MOT fail rate by age
Each line follows the cars first used in one year across the ages they were tested at from 2022 to 2025, so a line never mixes a 2005 car with a 2015 one. 9k DVSA MOT tests in all (9,354).
At 17 years and typical mileage that is 27% more fails than all class 4 vehicles tested at 17 (2,752 MOT tests).
| Age | Raw | Typical mileage | All class 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 52.2% | 55.3% | 42.4% |
| 16 | 52.4% | 63.3% | 43.3% |
| 17 | 53.1% | 55.1% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 52.7% | 63.9% | 43.3% |
Higher MOT fail rate than average: 53.1% raw · 55.1% at typical mileage, against 43.4% for all class 4 vehicles tested at 17, 2,752 MOT tests. Which years? See the full verdict
What fails on a Chevrolet Kalos at 17 years
3 of 11 parts fail clearly more or less often than on cars the same age, with the same direction at 3 or more ages up to 18 years and no mixed picture.
| Part | Per 100 | All class 4 | Compared | Most common fail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 22.8 | 17.2 | fails 1.2–1.4× as often as cars the same age | Component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (MOT fail) |
| Brakes | 18.8 | 12.3 | fails 1.4–1.6× as often as cars the same age | Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (MOT fail) |
| Visibility | 11.2 | 7.1 | fails 1.4–1.8× as often as cars the same age | Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (MOT fail) |
| Lights and electrics | 24.3 | 21.0 | about average for cars the same age | Position lamp not working (MOT fail) |
| Body and structure | 10.7 | 8.3 | about average for cars the same age | Drive shaft constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (MOT fail) |
| Steering | 10.0 | 3.6 | about average for cars the same age | Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (MOT fail) |
Buying a Chevrolet Kalos? Check that exact car before the viewing.
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- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
Check one Chevrolet Kalos, not the average
The figures here describe Chevrolet Kalos cars as a group. A registration shows one car's own DVSA record: its MOT tests, the mileage at each test and the recall flag.
- Check a Chevrolet Kalos's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- Mileage check on a Chevrolet Kalos The odometer reading from each MOT, with drops, jumps and long gaps flagged.
- Check a Chevrolet Kalos for an outstanding recall Whether DVSA's MOT record flags an outstanding safety recall for that registration.
More Chevrolet Kalos data
Mileage at MOT
At 17 years, 53.1% of MOT tests ended in a fail as tested. Weighted to the mileage mix of all class 4 vehicles that age, the rate is 55.1%, so mileage explains part of the gap.
| Miles | MOT tests | Chevrolet Kalos | All class 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| <30k | 164 | 34.1% | 21.1% |
| 30-60k | 998 | 50.0% | 32.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,022 | 56.8% | 41.7% |
| 90-120k | 415 | 58.1% | 46.2% |
Chevrolet Kalos recalls
1 DVSA recall lists this model by name [2]. Vehicles are DVSA's count of affected Chevrolet Kalos vehicles. The latest:
- R/2012/090 Also covers the Chevrolet Kalos: Braking efficiency may be affected (38,876 vehicles of this model), built Jan 2009 to Dec 2011. From the recall's stated risk: “Incorrect type of brake fluid installed at production could cause internal corrosion of the ABS module.”
Ask the seller for proof the work was done. Check any car on GOV.UK · Chevrolet Kalos recalls
Chevrolet Kalos against similar cars at 17 years
Same class and fuel, all tested at 17 years, at typical mileage.
| Model | Fail rate | 95% range | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Kalos | 55.1% | 51.0% to 59.2% | 2,752 |
| Ford Fiesta MOT fail rate | 48.1% | 47.9% to 48.4% | 185,757 |
| Vauxhall Corsa MOT fail rate | 50.1% | 49.7% to 50.5% | 111,979 |
| MINI Cooper and One MOT fail rate | 44.4% | 44.0% to 44.8% | 105,097 |
| Volkswagen Polo MOT fail rate | 51.4% | 51.0% to 51.7% | 90,239 |
| Toyota Yaris MOT fail rate | 45.5% | 45.1% to 45.9% | 81,863 |
| Honda Jazz MOT fail rate | 47.4% | 47.0% to 47.8% | 79,710 |
| Renault Clio MOT fail rate | 54.6% | 54.1% to 55.0% | 66,497 |
| Nissan Micra MOT fail rate | 50.1% | 49.6% to 50.6% | 64,136 |
Other Chevrolet models
More Chevrolet Kalos data
Years
Running costs
By part
- Chevrolet Kalos suspension problems
- Chevrolet Kalos brakes problems
- Chevrolet Kalos lights and electrics problems
- Chevrolet Kalos steering problems
- Chevrolet Kalos body and structure problems
- Chevrolet Kalos exhaust and emissions problems
- Chevrolet Kalos seat belts and airbags problems
- Chevrolet Kalos windscreen and wipers problems
- Chevrolet Kalos tyres problems
Problems, recalls and costs
Questions people ask
How often does a Chevrolet Kalos fail its MOT at 17 years?
55.1% of MOT tests at 17 years ended in a fail at typical mileage (53.1% as tested), from 2,752 MOT tests, against 43.4% for all class 4 vehicles the same age; the Ford Fiesta was at 48.1%.
What fails most on a Chevrolet Kalos at 17 years?
22.8 in 100 MOT tests at 17 years failed on suspension, most often "component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength", then brakes (18.8) and visibility (11.2), from 2,752 MOT tests.
What mileage does a Chevrolet Kalos have at 17 years?
A median of 64,027 miles at the MOT test at 17 years, against 105,023 for all class 4 vehicles the same age, from 2,752 MOT tests.
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 9,354 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Vehicle safety recalls data. DVSA recall data. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Cars tested at 17 years are compared only with vehicles tested at 17 years in the same year, adjusted to typical mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data.