Verdict
The Chevrolet Kalos passes its MOT first time on 47.7% of tests, 14.5 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (62.2%). That puts it ahead of 6% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.
By year of first registration, the 2007 Kalos does best (beats 6% of cars) and the 2008 worst (beats 4%).
Of its engines, the 1.2 Petrol does best (beats 6%) and the 1.4 Petrol worst (beats 5%).
Watch these weak spots
MOT pass rate by age
First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.
Best and worst years
By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.
Engines
All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 Petrol | 45.9% | Beats 5% | E |
| 1.2 Petrol | 49.6% | Beats 6% | E |
Where it fails
Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Buying one or MOT due? Check these
- Suspension arm bushes 5.3× typical
Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering. - Track rod ends 5.1× typical
Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres. - Brake performance 3.5× typical
On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal. - Sidelights 1.8× typical
Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid. - Anti-roll bar links 4.2× typical
A knock or rattle over uneven roads usually means worn anti-roll bar links (cheap to fix). - Headlight aim 1.6× typical
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
Pass rate by mileage
First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.
Most common MOT failures
| Item | This car | Typical | vs typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension arm bushes | 7.9% | 1.5% | 5.3× |
| Track rod ends | 7.5% | 1.5% | 5.1× |
| Sidelights | 7.0% | 3.8% | 1.8× |
| Headlight aim | 6.7% | 4.2% | 1.6× |
| Brake performance | 6.3% | 1.8% | 3.5× |
| Headlight bulbs & units | 5.4% | 3.0% | 1.8× |
| ABS warning light | 5.4% | 0.6% | 9.5× |
| Component mounting prescribed areas | 5.3% | 1.0% | 5.6× |
| Windscreen wipers | 5.1% | 3.0% | 1.7× |
| Windscreen washers | 4.5% | 2.6% | 1.7× |
Specific defects found
Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.
| Defect | per 1,000 |
|---|---|
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 135.4 |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 66.7 |
| A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 65.4 |
| Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 58.5 |
| The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 54.0 |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 50.5 |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 49.1 |
| Warning device shows system malfunction | 48.7 |
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Every year and engine
Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.
2008 Chevrolet Kalos2 engines49.4% passE
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 Petrol | 50.0% | Beats 4% | E |
| 1.4 Petrol | 48.3% | Beats 4% | E |
2007 Chevrolet Kalos2 engines49.2% passE
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 Petrol | 51.2% | Beats 8% | E |
| 1.4 Petrol | 46.6% | Beats 4% | E |
2006 Chevrolet Kalos2 engines46.9% passE
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 Petrol | 46.3% | Beats 6% | E |
| 1.2 Petrol | 48.0% | Beats 6% | E |
2005 Chevrolet Kalos2 engines44.1% passE
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 Petrol | 42.9% | Beats 5% | E |
| 1.2 Petrol | 46.1% | Beats 8% | E |
FAQ
What is the Chevrolet Kalos MOT pass rate?
47.7% of MOT tests on the Chevrolet Kalos were passed first time, based on 40,860 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2005–2008. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 62.2% of the time.
Is the Chevrolet Kalos reliable?
On MOT results it rates E (poor): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 6% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which Chevrolet Kalos year is best?
Among years with enough data, the 2007 Kalos does best for its age and mileage: it beats 6% of cars on UK roads. The 2008 does worst: it beats 4%.
Which Chevrolet Kalos engine is best?
Across all years, the 1.2 Petrol does best: it beats 6% of cars on UK roads. The 1.4 Petrol does worst: it beats 5%.
What are the most common MOT failures on the Chevrolet Kalos?
The most common failure items are suspension arm bushes, track rod ends, sidelights. Compared with similar cars, suspension arm bushes comes up 5.3× as often.