2003 Daewoo Kalos — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,657 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Daewoo Kalos, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 66.5% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 38.1% in the 120-150k group versus 29.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.7% | 327 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 285 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.2% | 235 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 160 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.4% | 156 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.5% | 141 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 200 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 151 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 144 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 141 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 129 |
| 6 | Washers | 98 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 40.6% | 672 |
| 2 | Suspension | 39.1% | 647 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.2% | 434 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 24.5% | 406 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.2% | 318 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 18.3% | 303 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 84 | 29.8% |
| 30-60k | 545 | 29.0% |
| 60-90k | 654 | 35.0% |
| 90-120k | 290 | 38.3% |
| 120-150k | 63 | 38.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 597 | 37.4% |
| 2022 | 377 | 31.3% |
| 2023 | 303 | 30.7% |
| 2024 | 218 | 31.2% |
| 2025 | 162 | 33.3% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Kalos
Before buying a 2003 Daewoo Kalos, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 19.7% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (19.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (17.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2003 Daewoo Kaloss pass their MOT?
66.5% of the 1,657 2003 Daewoo Kalos MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Daewoo Kalos?
Suspension, recorded in 19.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.2%).
Does the 2003 Kalos get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.8% in the 0-30k band to 38.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,657 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.