Daewoo Kalos
From 1,024 MOT tests. Below average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 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 and the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 126 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 126 |
| 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 | 102 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 72 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 52 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 47 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 44 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 39 |
| headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective | 39 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 36 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 33 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 32.7% of Kalos failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 28.8% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £143.
Daewoo Kalos on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 152 scrapped or exported in the past year, a net loss of 152. At this rate, roughly 4.9 years until none remain. Now at 8.1% of its peak (9,115 in 2005 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 305 | 437 | +0 | -20 | -20 |
| 2025 Q2 | 321 | 441 | +0 | -38 | -38 |
| 2025 Q1 | 365 | 435 | +0 | -40 | -40 |
| 2024 Q4 | 394 | 446 | +0 | -54 | -54 |
| 2024 Q3 | 432 | 462 | +0 | -38 | -38 |
| 2024 Q2 | 468 | 464 | +0 | -46 | -46 |
| 2024 Q1 | 510 | 468 | +0 | -43 | -43 |
| 2023 Q4 | 558 | 463 | +0 | -26 | -26 |
3 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalos Sx 16V Auto | Petrol | 70 | 38% |
| Kalos Sx 16V | Petrol | 64 | 34% |
| Kalos Xtra Cool | Petrol | 52 | 28% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 52.8% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 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 |
| 2003 | 60.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
Typical mileage
Half of all Kaloss tested had between 56,887 and 101,837 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 81,838 median miles, the Kalos has 0.054 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Daewoo models
| Daewoo Matiz | 57.8% |
Common questions
What is the Daewoo Kalos MOT pass rate?
The Daewoo Kalos has a 56.2% MOT pass rate based on 1,024 real MOT tests. This is below the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Daewoo Kalos?
The most common MOT failure on the Daewoo Kalos is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 126 failures. Other common issues include 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.
How many Daewoo Kaloss are on UK roads?
There are 305 Daewoo Kaloss currently licensed on UK roads, with 437 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Daewoo Kalos at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Daewoo Kalos is 81,838 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 56,887 and 101,837 miles.
Buying a used Kalos?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 56.2% pass rate and an average repair bill of £143 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 32.7% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.