Verdict
Kias pass their MOT first time on 73.4% of tests, against 75.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. That beats 34% of cars on UK roads and ranks Kia 28th of 40 makes, clearly behind Toyota and Honda.
The Niro does best, beating 81% of cars, followed by the Stonic (71%) and the Optima (65%). The Sportage, the most tested Kia, beats 51%, about average. The rest of the range is below average: the Sedona beats 32%, the Ceed 30%, the Rio 27% and the Carens 16%. The Picanto, the second most common Kia, does worst, at only 15%.
Kias fail on steering about twice as often as a typical car (on about 1 in 38 tests), on brakes about 1.6 times as often (about 1 in 12 tests) and on visibility items such as wipers and mirrors about a quarter more often. They fail a little less often on body and structure and on emissions and leaks.
For one car in detail, see the 2016 Sportage 1.7 diesel report. Electric versions have no exhaust emissions test, which flatters them a little, and the MOT does not test the battery or motor: ask for a battery health report.
Where it fails
Every Kia compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Kia models
Models with 20,000+ MOT tests, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate. Light vans are included and tend to grade lower, partly from hard commercial use.
| Model first registered | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage 2005–2023 | 77.3% | Beats 51% | C |
| Picanto 2004–2023 | 70.9% | Beats 15% | E |
| Ceed 2007–2023 | 68.1% | Beats 30% | D |
| Rio 2002–2022 | 70.2% | Beats 27% | D |
| Venga 2010–2019 | 74.6% | Beats 29% | D |
| Niro 2016–2023 | 87.4% | Beats 81% | A |
| Sorento 2003–2022 | 68.0% | Beats 49% | C |
| Soul 2009–2022 | 71.9% | Beats 44% | C |
| Carens 2004–2018 | 63.0% | Beats 16% | E |
| Stonic 2017–2023 | 88.5% | Beats 71% | B |
| Optima 2012–2019 | 79.6% | Beats 65% | B |
| Sedona 2003–2012 | 52.7% | Beats 32% | D |
| XCeed 2020–2023 | 87.0% | Beats 48% | C |
FAQ
What is Kia's MOT pass rate?
73.4% of Kia MOT tests were passed first time, from 7.0 million tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 75.6%, so Kia is below average.
Are Kias reliable?
On MOT results Kia is below average: it beats 34% of cars on UK roads and ranks 28th of 40 makes. The Niro, Stonic and Optima do well and the Sportage is about average; the Picanto, Carens, Rio and Ceed do worse. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which Kia models are most reliable?
The Niro beats about eight in ten cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account, and the Stonic about seven in ten.
Which Kia models should I check most carefully?
The Picanto and Carens beat fewer than one in five cars, and the Rio, Ceed and Sedona about three in ten.
What are the most common MOT failures on Kias?
Lights and electrics (about 1 in 11 tests) and brakes (about 1 in 12 tests, 1.6 times as often as a typical car). Steering fails are rarer but about twice as common as typical.