At a Glance
Kia has 167 identified common problems across 36 models, with the Sedona being the most affected model and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 8.4M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we identify common car problems →
Below: per-model breakdowns of Kia common problems, MOT failure rates by category, pass-rate data, and repair patterns drawn from 8.4M DVSA MOT tests across 20 years. Click any model to see generation-specific issues, mileage-banded fault patterns, and the most common MOT failures recorded by UK testers.
MOT Tests & Failures by Model
Top Kia models by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that model's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Kia Common Problems by Model
Select a model to see problems by generation
Showing top 9 by MOT test volume — search to find any of 36 Kia models.
Picanto
Most common: Brakes
Sportage
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
Ceed
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
Rio
Most common: Brakes
Sorento
Most common: Brakes
Sedona
Most common: Brakes
Venga
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
Carens
Most common: Brakes
Soul
Most common: Brakes
Most Common Kia MOT Failures
Every reason Kia vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 9.03% |
| 2 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 8.89% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 7.19% |
| 4 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 7.16% |
| 5 | Number plate lamp not working | 5.98% |
| 6 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.90% |
| 7 | Brake pads or linings worn | 5.27% |
| 8 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.93% |
| 9 | Stop lamp not working | 3.77% |
| 10 | Position lamp not working | 3.14% |
| 11 | Front lamp not working | 2.85% |
| 12 | Track rod end worn | 2.55% |
| 13 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 2.40% |
| 14 | Driveshaft fault | 2.30% |
| 15 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 2.00% |
| 16 | Exhaust system fault | 1.92% |
| 17 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.91% |
| 18 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 1.90% |
| 19 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.89% |
| 20 | Headlamp fault | 1.71% |
| 21 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.47% |
| 22 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.24% |
| 23 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.16% |
| 24 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.91% |
| 25 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.90% |
| 26 | Indicator fault | 0.69% |
| 27 | Parking brake condition | 0.68% |
| 28 | Seat belt condition | 0.58% |
| 29 | ABS fault | 0.51% |
| 30 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.49% |
| 31 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.48% |
| 32 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.47% |
| 33 | Airbag warning light on | 0.45% |
| 34 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.40% |
| 35 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.39% |
| 36 | Steering rack fault | 0.39% |
| 37 | Front suspension fault | 0.35% |
| 38 | Fog lamp not working | 0.35% |
| 39 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.34% |
| 40 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.34% |
| 41 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.31% |
| 42 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.30% |
| 43 | Brake lever fault | 0.29% |
| 44 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.29% |
| 45 | Rear lamp not working | 0.23% |
| 46 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.23% |
| 47 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.21% |
| 48 | Chassis condition | 0.21% |
| 49 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.17% |
| 50 | Horn not working | 0.17% |
| 51 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.17% |
| 52 | Brake pedal fault | 0.16% |
| 53 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.15% |
| 54 | Brake caliper fault | 0.14% |
| 55 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.14% |
| 56 | Engine oil leak | 0.13% |
| 57 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.12% |
| 58 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.12% |
| 59 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.12% |
| 60 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.11% |
| 61 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.09% |
| 62 | Brake fluid leak | 0.09% |
| 63 | Rear suspension fault | 0.08% |
| 64 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.08% |
| 65 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.08% |
| 66 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.08% |
| 67 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.08% |
| 68 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.07% |
| 69 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.07% |
| 70 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.06% |
| 71 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.06% |
| 72 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.06% |
| 73 | Steering lock fault | 0.06% |
| 74 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.05% |
| 75 | Electrical switch fault | 0.04% |
| 76 | Propshaft fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Front passenger door fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.03% |
| 79 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.03% |
| 80 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 81 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.03% |
| 82 | Drag link end worn | 0.03% |
| 83 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.03% |
| 86 | Steering free play excessive | 0.02% |
| 87 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 88 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.02% |
| 89 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 92 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.02% |
| 93 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 95 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.01% |
| 97 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 98 | Towbar fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Driver seat fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Steering arm worn | 0.01% |
| 101 | Power steering ram fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.01% |
| 103 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 104 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.01% |
| 105 | Transmission oil leak | 0.01% |
| 106 | Universal joint worn | 0.01% |
| 107 | Steering column fault | 0.01% |
| 108 | Power steering pump fault | 0.01% |
| 109 | Steering operation fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 111 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 112 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 114 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Body security fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 118 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 120 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 121 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 127 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 128 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 129 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 131 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 132 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 133 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 136 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 143 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 145 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 147 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 149 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 150 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 152 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 159 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 160 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 162 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 163 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 164 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 165 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 166 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 167 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 168 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 172 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 173 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 174 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 176 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 179 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 181 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 182 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 183 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 187 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 188 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 190 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 191 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 192 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 193 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 194 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 195 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 196 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 197 | Passenger hand grip fault | <0.01% |
| 198 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
Showing all 198 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Kia MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for Kia, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Kia problems?
Based on analysis of 8.4M Kia MOT tests from DVSA data, Kia has 167 identified common problems across 36 models. The Kia Sedona has the most recorded problems. Brakes issues are the most common category.
Which Kia model has the most problems?
By total identified common problems, the Kia Sedona has the highest count with 55 problems. This is partly because it is one of the more popular Kia models on UK roads. See the models grid for a full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Kia?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Kia owners spot problems early. We review all submissions before they are published.
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