Chevrolet Kalos Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Chevrolet Kalos car check
Is the Chevrolet Kalos reliable? We analysed 221,978 real MOT tests across 15,378 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Chevrolet Kalos? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Chevrolet Kalos is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an abs fault and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Chevrolet Kalos.
Chevrolet Kalos Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Chevrolet Kalos. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Chevrolet Kalos MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Chevrolet Kalos to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Chevrolet Kalos Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Chevrolet Kalos fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Chevrolet Kalos Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Chevrolet Kalos owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Chevrolet Kalos MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Chevrolet Kalos year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 233 | 68.7% | 24,277 | 34,647 | 52,505 |
| 2008 | 39,931 | 71.3% | 28,584 | 43,891 | 62,402 |
| 2007 | 67,029 | 71.9% | 30,494 | 46,292 | 65,198 |
| 2006 | 52,972 | 70.7% | 29,990 | 47,268 | 67,737 |
| 2005 | 61,582 | 70.2% | 32,113 | 49,312 | 69,760 |
| 2004 | 68 | 77.9% | 30,266 | 43,208 | 58,282 |
How Long Does a Chevrolet Kalos Last?
Based on 15,378 Chevrolet Kalos vehicles on UK roads.
Chevrolet Kalos Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Chevrolet Kalos MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Chevrolet Kalos
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
77.9% MOT pass rate from 68 tests
68.7% MOT pass rate from 233 tests
The best year to buy a used Chevrolet Kalos is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.9% across 68 tests. The 2009 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Chevrolet Kalos Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Kalos THIS CAR | 71.1% | 221,978 | 46,909 mi | 21 yrs |
| Chevrolet Matiz | 70.8% | 487,981 | 39,253 mi | 21 yrs |
| Chevrolet Spark | 71.9% | 273,626 | 47,852 mi | 16 yrs |
| Chevrolet Aveo | 69.7% | 241,765 | 48,643 mi | 18 yrs |
| Ford Transit 350 Leader Ecoblue | 79.5% | 135,800 | 60,205 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Chevrolet Matiz (70.8% pass rate) and the Chevrolet Spark (71.9% pass rate), the Chevrolet Kalos sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Chevrolet Kalos you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Chevrolet KalosShould you buy a used Chevrolet Kalos?
The Chevrolet Kalos has an overall MOT pass rate of 71.1% across 221,978 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Chevrolet Kalos are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5,912 recorded failures), anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an abs fault (5,314), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (5,228). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Chevrolet Kalos owner drives around 4,584 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Chevrolet Kalos models stay on UK roads for around 21 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.