Used car guide

2009 Chevrolet Lacetti: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Chevrolet Lacettis, from 405 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 405 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

405MOT tests in 2025
43%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
4,500typical miles a year
3.5×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Chevrolet Lacettis than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Engine oil leaks3.5× usual
    Chevrolet Lacetti
    36.3% All 2009 cars
    10.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Rigid brake pipes4× usual
    Chevrolet Lacetti
    30.1% All 2009 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 1.2% of all 2009 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 performance2.5× usual
    Chevrolet Lacetti
    16.3% All 2009 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 2.4% of all 2009 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.9× usual
    Chevrolet Lacetti
    12.3% All 2009 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.6% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

By area

The share of 2009 Chevrolet Lacetti MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    57% 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.

  • Suspension
    49% 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
    48% 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
    38% 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
    17% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2010166Brakes 50%
2008348Brakes 47%
2007273Brakes 52%
2006187Suspension 56%
2005105Suspension 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Chevrolet Lacettis registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score