Kia Common MOT Problems (2026)
Kia models ranked by MOT fail rate, with typical issues to check for cars of each age and type. Based on 1,689,958 MOT tests (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Average Kia MOT pass rate: 86%
Check Your Kia's MOT History
See the specific issues found on your car, plus health score and running cost estimates.
86%
Avg pass rate
14%
Avg fail rate
137
Models tested
Kia Models with the Most MOT Problems
Highest average fail rates (models with 1,000+ tests, cars registered up to 2021)
| # | Model | Fail Rate | Typical Issues (estimate) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kia Cerato | 34% | Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration | |
| 2 | Kia Magentis | 30% | Suspension wear, Brake disc corrosion, Structural corrosion | |
| 3 | Kia Sedona | 28% | DPF/emissions, Injector wear, Turbo issues | |
| 4 | Kia Proceed | 28% | DPF/emissions, Injector wear, Suspension wear | |
| 5 | Kia Carens | 23% | Suspension wear, Structural corrosion, Exhaust deterioration |
Most Reliable Kia Models
Lowest average fail rates (models with 1,000+ tests, cars registered up to 2021). Newer models tend to pass more often simply because they are younger.
| # | Model | Pass Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kia Stonic GT-Line S Isg MHEV | 97% | |
| 2 | Kia Stonic GT-Line Isg MHEV | 96% | |
| 3 | Kia Stonic Connect MHEV | 96% | |
| 4 | Kia Niro 2 PHEV S-A | 94% | |
| 5 | Kia Xceed 3 Isg S-A | 94% |
All Kia Models by Fail Rate
Every Kia model and year with 300+ MOT tests (cars registered up to 2021), sorted by fail rate (highest first). Fuel type is shown as a guide.
| Model | Year | Pass Rate | Fail Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedona | 2004 | 57% | 41% | |
| Rio | 2004 | 64% | 36% | |
| Carens | 2006 | 62% | 36% | |
| Rio | 2003 | 65% | 34% | |
| Picanto | 2006 | 66% | 33% | |
| Picanto | 2005 | 66% | 33% | |
| Sportage | 2007 | 65% | 33% | |
| Sedona | 2006 | 66% | 33% | |
| Carens | 2007 | 66% | 33% | |
| Cerato | 2005 | 66% | 33% | |
| Cerato | 2006 | 66% | 33% | |
| Sorento | 2006 | 67% | 32% | |
| Rio | 2007 | 67% | 32% | |
| Sportage | 2006 | 66% | 32% | |
| Sorento | 2004 | 65% | 32% | |
| Proceed | 2010 | 66% | 32% | |
| Sedona | 2005 | 67% | 32% | |
| Proceed | 2009 | 66% | 32% | |
| Picanto | 2007 | 68% | 31% | |
| Ceed | 2007 | 68% | 31% | |
| Rio | 2008 | 68% | 31% | |
| Sportage | 2005 | 66% | 31% | |
| Sorento | 2005 | 66% | 31% | |
| Carens | 2008 | 68% | 31% | |
| Rio | 2006 | 69% | 31% | |
| Carens | 2011 | 69% | 31% | |
| Sorento | 2003 | 65% | 31% | |
| Ceed | 2008 | 69% | 30% | |
| Picanto | 2008 | 69% | 30% | |
| Picanto | 2004 | 69% | 30% | |
| Sportage | 2008 | 70% | 30% | |
| Carens | 2009 | 69% | 30% | |
| Sedona | 2008 | 69% | 30% | |
| Rio | 2005 | 69% | 30% | |
| Ceed | 2010 | 70% | 29% | |
| Ceed | 2011 | 71% | 29% | |
| Ceed | 2009 | 70% | 29% | |
| Sportage | 2009 | 70% | 29% | |
| Sorento | 2008 | 70% | 29% | |
| Proceed | 2011 | 70% | 29% | |
| Picanto | 2010 | 72% | 28% | |
| Picanto | 2009 | 71% | 28% | |
| Rio | 2011 | 72% | 28% | |
| Rio | 2010 | 72% | 28% | |
| Rio | 2009 | 71% | 28% | |
| Soul | 2010 | 72% | 28% | |
| Venga | 2010 | 71% | 28% | |
| Sedona | 2007 | 70% | 28% | |
| Ceed | 2012 | 72% | 27% | |
| Picanto | 2011 | 73% | 27% |
Showing top 50 of 284 model/year combinations. View all Kia models
Kia MOT FAQ
What are the most common MOT problems on Kia cars?
The most common MOT problems on Kia cars vary by model and age, but typically include lighting defects, suspension wear, brake wear and tyre condition, which are the most common reasons for failure across all makes in DVSA's published MOT statistics. Older Kia diesels are more prone to exhaust and emissions failures. Of the Kia models with at least 1,000 tests, the Kia Cerato has the highest average fail rate at 34%.
Which Kia model is the most reliable?
In our data, the Kia Stonic GT-Line S Isg MHEV has the best MOT record of the Kia models with at least 1,000 tests: 97% of its 1,637 MOT tests ended in a pass and 3% in a fail. Newer models tend to pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare models of a similar age.
What is the average MOT pass rate for Kia?
The average MOT pass rate for Kia is 86%, based on 1,689,958 MOT tests across 137 models (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That means roughly 14% of MOT tests on Kia cars ended in a fail.
Kia Model Problem Guides
Typical issues to check, rough repair costs and year-by-year MOT pass rates for each Kia model
Every Kia model, A to Z (93)
- Kia Carens
- Kia Ceed
- Kia Ceed 2 CRDI Isg MHEV
- Kia Ceed 2 Nav CRDI Isg
- Kia Ceed 2 Nav CRDI Isg MHEV
- Kia Ceed 2 Nav Isg
- Kia Ceed 3 PHEV S-A
- Kia Ceed GT Isg
- Kia Ceed GT-Line CRDI
- Kia Ceed GT-Line Isg
- Kia Ceed GT-Line Lunar Edition Isg
- Kia Cerato
- Kia EV6 Air
- Kia EV6 GT-Line
- Kia EV6 GT-Line S
- Kia Magentis
- Kia Niro
- Kia Niro 2 EV
- Kia Niro 2 HEV S-A
- Kia Niro 2 PHEV S-A
- Kia Niro 3 EV
- Kia Niro 4 + EV
- Kia Niro Connect HEV S-A
- Kia Optima
- Kia Picanto
- Kia Picanto GT-Line Auto
- Kia Picanto GT-Line Isg
- Kia Picanto GT-Line S Isg
- Kia Picanto Titanium Edition
- Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto
- Kia Picanto Zest
- Kia Proceed
- Kia Proceed GT Isg S-A
- Kia Proceed GT-Line CRDI Isg
- Kia Proceed GT-Line CRDI Isg S-A
- Kia Proceed GT-Line Isg
- Kia Proceed GT-Line Isg S-A
- Kia Proceed GT-Line S Isg S-A
- Kia Rio
- Kia Rio 3 MHEV
- Kia Rio GT-Line S MHEV
- Kia Sedona
- Kia Sorento
- Kia Sorento 2 HEV Awd Auto
- Kia Sorento 3 CRDI Awd S-A
- Kia Sorento 3 HEV Awd Auto
- Kia Sorento 3 PHEV Awd Auto
- Kia Sorento 4 HEV Awd Auto
- Kia Sorento 4 PHEV Awd Auto
- Kia Soul
- Kia Soul First Edition EV
- Kia Sportage
- Kia Sportage 2 CRDI Isg MHEV
- Kia Sportage 2 CRDI Isg MHEV S-A
- Kia Sportage 3 CRDI Isg MHEV
- Kia Sportage 3 CRDI Isg MHEV S-A
- Kia Sportage 3 Isg
- Kia Sportage 3 Isg 4X4
- Kia Sportage 4 CRDI Isg MHEV
- Kia Sportage 4 CRDI Isg MHEV S-A
- Kia Sportage 4 CRDI Isg MHEV4X4 Sa
- Kia Sportage GT-Line CRDI Isg 4X4
- Kia Sportage GT-Line CRDI Isg MHEV
- Kia Sportage GT-Line S Isg
- Kia Sportage GT-LN CRDI MHEV Sa
- Kia Sportage GT-LN CRDI MHEV4X4 Sa
- Kia Sportage GT-LN S CRDI MHEV Sa
- Kia Sportage Gtln S CRDI MHEV4X4SA
- Kia Sportage Platinum Edition Isg
- Kia Stinger
- Kia Stonic
- Kia Stonic 2
- Kia Stonic 2 S-A
- Kia Stonic Connect MHEV
- Kia Stonic GT-Line Isg MHEV
- Kia Stonic GT-Line Isg MHEV S-A
- Kia Stonic GT-Line S Isg MHEV
- Kia Stonic GT-Line S Isg MHEV S-A
- Kia Stonic Maxx
- Kia Venga
- Kia Xceed 2 CRDI Isg
- Kia Xceed 2 Isg
- Kia Xceed 3 CRDI Isg
- Kia Xceed 3 Isg
- Kia Xceed 3 Isg S-A
- Kia Xceed 3 PHEV S-A
- Kia Xceed 4 Isg
- Kia Xceed 4 Isg S-A
- Kia Xceed Connect Isg
- Kia Xceed Edition Isg
- Kia Xceed First Edition Isg
- Kia Xceed First Edition Isg S-A
- Kia Xceed First Edition PHEV S-A
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