The picture
Kalos: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 4,426 MOT tests, the Kalos returns 60.9% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a defective headlamp lens. The strength or continuity of the load bearing and worn suspension bushes round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 66,724, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
502 occurrences · 11.3% of tests
- 02
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
390 occurrences · 8.8% of tests
- 03
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
332 occurrences · 7.5% of tests
- 04
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
290 occurrences · 6.6% of tests
- 05
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
276 occurrences · 6.2% of tests
- 06
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
226 occurrences · 5.1% of tests
- 07
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
186 occurrences · 4.2% of tests
- 08
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
174 occurrences · 3.9% of tests
- 09
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
171 occurrences · 3.9% of tests
- 10
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
147 occurrences · 3.3% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 4 failures
£180–£640
If every one of this Kalos's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Buying or keeping a Kalos?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Kalos and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.