Rust (sills, floor, arches)
usually 80,000–300,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Bubbling paint, holes
Fix: Rust repair
€200–1,000
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Chevrolet Lacetti
2004–2009
2
engines covered
11
known faults
1,757
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
2
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Chevrolet Lacetti was built from 2004 to 2009.
For this generation we cover 2 engines and 11 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Injectors / high-pressure pump: it usually appears at 100,000–220,000 km and costs €800–2,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (31.2 %), brakes (23.4 %), suspension (22.9 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: brakes, suspension, tyres and wheels, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8–1.8 petrol (GM Daewoo: Matiz, Kalos, Lacetti, Lanos, Nubira) | Petrol | Belt · 60,000 km / every 48 mo | 10W-40 / 5W-30 · API SL / GM · ~3.75 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0 VCDi / CDTI (GM Daewoo Z20S / Z20D1) | Diesel | Belt · 100,000 km / every 60 mo | 5W-30 · dexos2 / GM-LL-B-025 · ~5.9 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Suspension bushes / ball joints
usually 60,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Knocks
Fix: Replace parts
€80–250
Faults by engine
0.8–1.8 petrol (GM Daewoo: Matiz, Kalos, Lacetti, Lanos, Nubira)
Timing belt / tensioner (short life)
usually 50,000–80,000 km · High risk
Signs: Belt failure bends valves — change at 60,000 km
Fix: Replace belt kit and water pump
€200–450
Head gasket / hydraulic lifters (1.4 / 1.6 16v)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Ticking, coolant loss, overheating
Fix: Replace gasket / lifters
€300–900
Ignition leads / coil
usually 120,000–280,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Misfire in wet weather
Fix: Replace leads and coil
€60–180
Thermostat / radiator
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Overheating
Fix: Replace thermostat / radiator
€100–300
2.0 VCDi / CDTI (GM Daewoo Z20S / Z20D1)
Injectors / high-pressure pump
usually 100,000–220,000 km · High risk
Signs: Rough idle, smoke, hard start
Fix: Test and replace
€800–2,000
EGR / DPF
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€300–1,500
Timing belt tensioner (early failures)
usually 80,000–110,000 km · High risk
Signs: Belt failure destroys the engine — change early
Fix: Replace the belt kit at 90–100,000 km
€400–800
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Automatic 4-speed (AF13 / AF17 / 4T40)
Solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Harsh shifts, stuck in 3rd, gearbox warning
Fix: Fluid change, solenoid / valve body repair
€300–1,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 0.8–1.8 petrol (GM Daewoo: Matiz, Kalos, Lacetti, Lanos, Nubira) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €450–900 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 1,757 tests.
| thousand km | 50–100 | 100–150 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 19.5 % | 23.4 % |
| Suspension | 12.4 % | 22.9 % |
| Steering | 1.8 % | 3.5 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 7.6 % | 9.4 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 26.0 % | 31.2 % |
| Body and corrosion | 6.7 % | 13.9 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 4.5 % | 8.7 % |
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (2). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Braking efficiency may be affected28/08/2012 · R/2012/090
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Possibility that brake lights may stay on18/07/2005 · R/2005/055
Common questions
Does the Chevrolet Lacetti have a timing chain or a timing belt?
0.8–1.8 petrol (GM Daewoo: Matiz, Kalos, Lacetti, Lanos, Nubira): belt · 60,000 km / every 48 mo; 2.0 VCDi / CDTI (GM Daewoo Z20S / Z20D1): belt · 100,000 km / every 60 mo.
What are the known problems with the Chevrolet Lacetti?
The faults with the highest risk: injectors / high-pressure pump (100,000–220,000 km, €800–2,000); solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode) (100,000–200,000 km, €300–1,500); timing belt tensioner (early failures) (80,000–110,000 km, €400–800); timing belt / tensioner (short life) (50,000–80,000 km, €200–450). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Chevrolet Lacetti most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (31.2 %), brakes (23.4 %), suspension (22.9 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: brakes, suspension, tyres and wheels, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
What should you check when buying a used Chevrolet Lacetti?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (2 have been published for this model). If the engine has a timing belt, ask for the invoice for its replacement: with no proof, assume it has not been done. On the test drive, watch for these signs: rough idle, smoke, hard start; harsh shifts, stuck in 3rd, gearbox warning. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Chevrolet Cruze 2009–2015Opel Antara 2006–2015Chevrolet Aveo (T250) 2006–2011Chevrolet Kalos 2005–2008Chevrolet Captiva 2006–2015Daewoo Matiz 1998–2008Daewoo Lanos 1997–2004
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026