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Daewoo Lanos car check

Find out if a Lanos has outstanding finance, has been written off or stolen, how many owners it’s had, and which known problems apply to the generation you’re looking at.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. Results in under a minute.

MOT failure rate
29.1%35k tests
Known problems
5across Gen1
Full report
£7.49one-off, no subscription

Which Lanos are you looking at?

Each Lanos generation has its own weak spots. Here are the known problems.

  1. Subframe mounting point corrosion

    Safety risk Gen1

    The rear suspension mounting points within the boot floor are inadequately protected against corrosion on Lanos models. Water enters through poor sealing around the rear light clusters and accumulates in the spare wheel well, causing structural weakening of the areas where suspension components mount to the body shell. This is a safety-critical structural failure that can result in suspension detachment.

    What to check: Open the boot and lift the spare wheel and carpet to expose the metal floor. Look for any brown staining, soft spots, or visible holes in the metal around the rear suspension mounting points. Check inside the rear light clusters for water ingress - look for moisture, condensation, or water staini...

  2. Brake pipe corrosion

    Safety risk Gen1

    The brake pipes on the Lanos are routed close to the rear suspension and subframe areas where road salt and water accumulate. The pipes are inadequately protected and corrode rapidly, particularly in the rear brake circuit. MOT data shows brake pipe corrosion occurs at 11.7 times the national fleet average. This is a safety-critical failure as brake pipe rupture results in partial or complete brake system failure with no warning.

    What to check: Examine all visible brake pipes, particularly those running along the rear axle and around the fuel tank area, for surface corrosion, pitting, or any signs of fluid weepage. Look for white or green corrosion deposits around pipe joints and connections. Check the brake fluid reservoir level - a dr...

  3. Rear suspension bush wear

    Wear item Gen1

    The rear suspension uses basic trailing arm design with rubber bushes that deteriorate rapidly on UK roads. The bushes are undersized for the loads they carry and the rubber compound degrades quickly, leading to excessive suspension movement and poor handling. MOT data shows suspension component wear occurs at 35.4 times the national fleet average, making this the most common failure point on the Lanos. Poor bush condition accelerates stress on the already vulnerable subframe mounting points.

    What to check: Examine the rear suspension trailing arm bushes visually for cracking, splitting, or obvious deterioration of the rubber. The bushes are visible from underneath the rear of the car. Look for any oil or grease contamination on the bushes which accelerates rubber degradation. Check for any visible ...

  4. Front steering ball joint wear

    Wear item Gen1

    The front suspension uses a basic MacPherson strut design with track rod end ball joints that wear rapidly under UK driving conditions. The joints are not well sealed and allow water and contamination to enter, causing accelerated wear of the ball and socket. MOT data shows steering ball joint wear at 9.3 times the national fleet average. Worn ball joints affect steering precision and can separate completely if left unchecked.

    What to check: With the front wheels raised on axle stands, grasp each front wheel at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions and try to rock it side to side. Excessive movement indicates ball joint wear. Visually examine the track rod ends and ball joints for split rubber boots or obvious wear. Look for grease aroun...

  5. Engine oil leak

    Engine damage risk Gen1

    The 1.3-litre engine develops oil leaks from multiple sources as the car ages, particularly from the rocker cover gasket and oil filter housing. While not immediately dangerous, oil leaks create environmental hazards and can lead to oil loss that damages the engine if left unchecked. The leaks are typically slow-developing but progressive.

    What to check: Check the oil level on the dipstick - low oil level may indicate ongoing leakage. Examine the area under the car where it has been parked for oil stains or drips. Note the colour and consistency - fresh engine oil is amber to black. Visually inspect the engine bay for oil staining around the rock...

Lanos MOT results

29.1%

of Lanos MOT tests end in a fail, from 34,578 tests.

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Suspension component damaged or corrodedSuspension
  2. Anti-roll bar links wornSuspension
  3. Headlight faultLights & Electrics

Check the Lanos you’re buying

One report covers outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and previous owners from Experian, plus MOT history, mileage and the known problems for its generation.

Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian.

What the check includes

Lanos questions

Is the Daewoo Lanos reliable?

29.1% of Lanos models fail their MOT based on 34,578 tests analysed. That’s below average for the class. There are 5 known problems to watch for, the most serious being subframe mounting point corrosion. A full history check shows whether a specific car has had related write-offs or insurance claims.

What are the main problems with a Daewoo Lanos?

The most serious known issues are subframe mounting point corrosion, brake pipe corrosion, rear suspension bush wear. Our car check flags whether a specific Lanos has been written off or had insurance claims linked to these faults.

How do I check if a Daewoo Lanos has outstanding finance?

Enter the registration on this page. We query Experian’s finance database and return any outstanding agreements within a minute. If finance is still owed, the finance company can legally repossess the car even after you’ve paid the seller. At £7.49 it’s the cheapest way to avoid a car that isn’t legally for sale.

How do I check if a Daewoo Lanos has been written off?

Our check queries Experian’s insurance write-off database for Cat A, B, S and N markers. A Cat S or N Lanos has been structurally or non-structurally damaged and repaired. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it affects resale value and some insurers won’t cover it. The check costs £7.49.

Can I check a Daewoo Lanos for free?

You can check MOT history free on GOV.UK, which shows past test results and advisories. What it won’t show is outstanding finance, write-offs or theft markers, which are the things that actually cost you money after you’ve bought. Our full check adds all of that for £7.49, using Experian data.

Is a Daewoo Lanos HPI check worth it?

HPI is one brand of car check. Our check uses the same Experian data covering finance, stolen, write-off and keeper history, plus MOT analysis and known Lanos faults that HPI doesn’t include. At £7.49 it’s typically less than half the price of an HPI check.

What does a Daewoo Lanos fail its MOT on?

The most common MOT failure on the Lanos is suspension component damaged or corroded. 29.1% of Lanos models fail overall, based on 34,578 tests. Checking a car’s full MOT history before buying shows you recurring problems the seller might not mention.

More on the Lanos

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Finance, stolen, write-off and owner history data provided by Experian. MOT data from DVSA. Known problems from GetCarWise analysis. Updated October 2026.