Daewoo Kalos Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Daewoo Kalos car check
Is the Daewoo Kalos reliable? We analysed 139,896 real MOT tests across 9,375 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Daewoo Kalos? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Daewoo Kalos is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake binding, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Daewoo Kalos.
Daewoo Kalos Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Daewoo Kalos. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Daewoo Kalos MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Daewoo Kalos to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Daewoo Kalos Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Daewoo Kalos fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Daewoo Kalos Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Daewoo Kalos owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Daewoo Kalos MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Daewoo Kalos year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 7,845 | 70.9% | 30,997 | 49,069 | 69,602 |
| 2004 | 66,401 | 70.2% | 31,397 | 48,806 | 68,804 |
| 2003 | 64,969 | 69.0% | 33,318 | 50,945 | 71,293 |
| 2002 | 632 | 69.1% | 36,456 | 53,220 | 77,679 |
How Long Does a Daewoo Kalos Last?
Based on 9,375 Daewoo Kalos vehicles on UK roads.
Daewoo Kalos Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Daewoo 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 Daewoo Kalos
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
70.9% MOT pass rate from 7,845 tests
69.0% MOT pass rate from 64,969 tests
The best year to buy a used Daewoo Kalos is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 70.9% across 7,845 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Daewoo Kalos Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daewoo Kalos THIS CAR | 69.7% | 139,896 | 49,806 mi | 23 yrs |
| Daewoo Matiz | 65.9% | 724,041 | 47,634 mi | 28 yrs |
| Daewoo Lanos | 67.4% | 343,953 | 59,771 mi | 29 yrs |
| Daewoo Nubira | 64.4% | 130,499 | 61,516 mi | 29 yrs |
| Honda Cbr | 85.8% | 98,965 | 12,603 mi | 34 yrs |
Compared to the Daewoo Matiz (65.9% pass rate) and the Daewoo Lanos (67.4% pass rate), the Daewoo Kalos outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Daewoo 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 Daewoo KalosShould you buy a used Daewoo Kalos?
The Daewoo Kalos has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.7% across 139,896 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Daewoo Kalos are brake binding (6,491 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5,218), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (4,419). 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 Daewoo Kalos owner drives around 4,840 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 Daewoo Kalos models stay on UK roads for around 23 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.