Kia Carens

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 17 model years from 26,391 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

72%

Total Tests

26,391

Highest Pass Rate

2018 (83%)

Years Covered

About the Kia Carens

The Kia Carens was MOT tested 26,391 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 17 model years (2003 to 2019), with an average pass rate of 72%. That's 10 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data, so check the year-by-year data carefully before buying. Our records list diesel and petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 model has the highest pass rate at 83% from 2,703 tests. The 2005 model has the lowest at 57%. With a 26 point gap, the year you choose makes a real difference. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer Kia Carenss pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 13 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (2003) averages 71,057 miles, while the newest (2019) averages 51,500 miles.

Compared to the Kia brand average of 86%, the Carens is 14 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Kia models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1591cc)

£1,398

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,003

Per month£167/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2019 details

How reliable is the Kia Carens?

vs average of all models-10% (82% avg)

vs Kia brand average-14% (86% avg)

Best to worst year spread26 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Kia Carens by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2019	83%	139	51,500 mi
2018	83%	2,703	52,577 mi
2017	82%	3,168	61,814 mi
2016	79%	3,019	70,759 mi
2015	79%	3,585	80,429 mi
2014	78%	3,824	87,028 mi
2013	77%	2,513	94,445 mi
2012	71%	188	91,805 mi
2011	69%	664	98,764 mi
2010	73%	601	99,736 mi
2009	69%	2,077	100,124 mi
2008	68%	1,934	102,459 mi
2007	66%	855	106,122 mi
2006	62%	554	95,903 mi
2005	57%	275	89,214 mi
2004	66%	195	79,548 mi
2003	63%	97	71,057 mi

Questions about the Kia Carens

Is the Kia Carens reliable?

Across its 17 model years in our data (2003 to 2019), the Kia Carens averages a 72% MOT pass rate, from 26,391 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 10 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2018 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 83%.

Which year Kia Carens has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 Kia Carens has the highest MOT pass rate at 83%, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 57%, a 26 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.