Used car guide

2008 Chevrolet Kalos: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Chevrolet Kaloss, from 481 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 481 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

481MOT tests in 2025
44%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
3,400typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for braking performance

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Chevrolet Kaloss than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Braking performance3.1× usual
    Chevrolet Kalos
    19.8% All 2008 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.9%, against 2.5% of all 2008 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.2× usual
    Chevrolet Kalos
    24.9% All 2008 cars
    11.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.4%, against 2.3% of all 2008 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
    23.9% All 2008 cars
    10.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.1%, against 4.3% of all 2008 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 pipes2.3× usual
    Chevrolet Kalos
    22% All 2008 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.5% of all 2008 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.

  • Track rod ends2.7× usual
    Chevrolet Kalos
    14.6% All 2008 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.1%, against 2.5% of all 2008 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: 4.6% here, against 12.2% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Chevrolet Kalos MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    60% 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.

  • Brakes
    47% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    44% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    39% 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
    20% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    14% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Chevrolet Kalos?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2007662Suspension 57%
2006414Suspension 63%
2005312Suspension 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Chevrolet Kaloss registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score