Used car guide

2007 Chevrolet Kalos: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2007 Chevrolet Kaloss, from 662 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

662MOT tests in 2025
49%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)
3,600typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2007 Chevrolet Kaloss than on all cars registered in 2007.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.4× usual
    Chevrolet Kalos
    26.6% All 2007 cars
    10.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.8%, against 2.1% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Headlights2.2× usual
    Chevrolet Kalos
    28.7% All 2007 cars
    13%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.9%, against 4.7% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Rigid brake pipes1.9× usual
    Chevrolet Kalos
    21.1% All 2007 cars
    11.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.8% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Braking performance2.4× usual
    Chevrolet Kalos
    15% All 2007 cars
    6.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.5% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Track rod ends2.4× usual
    Chevrolet Kalos
    13.7% All 2007 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.5%, against 2.5% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Coil springs: 5.7% here, against 11.7% of all 2007 cars. Number plate lights: 3.3% here, against 8.8% of all 2007 cars.

By area

The share of 2007 Chevrolet Kalos MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    57% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    49% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    42% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    34% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    21% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    13% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

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Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2007 Chevrolet Kaloss registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score