Which Kia models fail their MOT most
24.1% of Kia cars fail first time, against 24.5% across every make. That is 0.4 points better than average, measured over 755,890 DVSA tests on 15 models.
Every Kia in the data
Sorted by how many tests each one contributes, so the models most people actually buy come first. A linked row has a page of its own.
| Model | Years | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage | 2014–2017 | 114,342 | 21% |
| Sportage | 2018–2021 | 79,445 | 15.5% |
| Picanto | 2014–2017 | 54,389 | 22% |
| Picanto | 2010–2013 | 50,866 | 37.6% |
| Sportage | 2010–2013 | 43,586 | 36.1% |
| Ceed | 2014–2017 | 41,253 | 25.1% |
| Picanto | 2018–2021 | 41,006 | 13.3% |
| Ceed | 2010–2013 | 40,110 | 42.8% |
| Rio | 2014–2017 | 39,733 | 23.1% |
| Rio | 2010–2013 | 33,461 | 40.2% |
| Niro | 2018–2021 | 31,169 | 12% |
| Venga | 2014–2017 | 23,329 | 19.6% |
| Ceed | 2018–2021 | 19,114 | 16.3% |
| Stonic | 2018–2021 | 18,394 | 11% |
| Venga | 2010–2013 | 18,271 | 40.1% |
| Rio | 2018–2021 | 13,889 | 12.2% |
| Sorento | 2014–2017 | 13,263 | 23.4% |
| Soul | 2010–2013 | 9,466 | 40.1% |
| Soul | 2014–2017 | 9,185 | 18.3% |
| Carens | 2014–2017 | 8,102 | 28.9% |
| Sorento | 2010–2013 | 7,892 | 38.3% |
| Venga | 2018–2021 | 6,344 | 11.5% |
| Sorento | 2018–2021 | 6,059 | 15.6% |
| Niro | 2014–2017 | 5,871 | 15.6% |
| Optima | 2014–2017 | 5,861 | 19.8% |
| Niro 4 Ev | 2018–2021 | 5,267 | 10.9% |
| Optima | 2018–2021 | 4,583 | 17.3% |
| Niro 3 Ev | 2018–2021 | 2,740 | 10.7% |
| Soul | 2018–2021 | 2,331 | 13.6% |
| Carens | 2010–2013 | 2,316 | 40.4% |
| Xceed 3 Isg | 2018–2021 | 2,227 | 13.4% |
| Xceed 2 Isg | 2018–2021 | 2,026 | 10.4% |
How a Kia ages
The same manufacturer at three ages. Every make gets worse with age; what differs is how steeply, and that is the part worth knowing before you choose between a cheaper older one and a dearer newer one.
2018–2021
13.9%
234,594 tests
2014–2017
22%
315,328 tests
2010–2013
39.1%
205,968 tests
Best and worst in the range
Least likely to fail
- 10.9% Niro 4 Ev 2018–2021
- 11% Stonic 2018–2021
- 11.5% Venga 2018–2021
Most likely to fail
- 42.8% Ceed 2010–2013
- 40.2% Rio 2010–2013
- 40.1% Soul 2010–2013
Cohorts with at least 5,000 tests only, so a rare model cannot top either list on thin evidence.
What actually fails on a Kia
Pooled across the whole range and weighted by test count. One model's worst fault is a fact about that model; the same fault across the range is a fact about the make.
- 2.5% Tyres tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
- 2.2% Brake linings and pads less than 1.5 mm thick
- 1.5% Steering linkage components ball joint has excessive play
- 1.3% Visibility does not clear the windscreen effectively
- 1.3% Parking brake efficiency (sp) efficiency below requirements
- 1% Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
Free · no account, no card
Check the actual Kia you're looking at
This page is the make. Type the registration and you get that car's own MOT history, its mileage record, its tax status and the questions to ask the seller before you travel.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023. Class 4 standard tests only. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Kia and its marks are the property of their owner and are used here to identify the manufacturer this page is about.