At a Glance
The Kia Carens has 15 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the Mk1 (2000-2006) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 328K 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 our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Kia Carens common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Kia Carens generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Kia Carens Generations
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Most Common Kia Carens MOT Failures
Every reason Kia Carens 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 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 9.35% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 7.91% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 7.16% |
| 4 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 6.97% |
| 5 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.08% |
| 6 | Brake pads or linings worn | 5.42% |
| 7 | Front lamp not working | 5.01% |
| 8 | Stop lamp not working | 4.84% |
| 9 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.65% |
| 10 | Driveshaft fault | 3.62% |
| 11 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.22% |
| 12 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 3.00% |
| 13 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.72% |
| 14 | Parking brake condition | 2.28% |
| 15 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.15% |
| 16 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 1.89% |
| 17 | Position lamp not working | 1.78% |
| 18 | Headlamp fault | 1.73% |
| 19 | Exhaust system fault | 1.66% |
| 20 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.53% |
| 21 | Track rod end worn | 1.33% |
| 22 | Rear lamp not working | 0.97% |
| 23 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.96% |
| 24 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.88% |
| 25 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.86% |
| 26 | Airbag warning light on | 0.75% |
| 27 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.70% |
| 28 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.68% |
| 29 | Seat belt condition | 0.68% |
| 30 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.63% |
| 31 | ABS fault | 0.61% |
| 32 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.56% |
| 33 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.51% |
| 34 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.37% |
| 35 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.36% |
| 36 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.35% |
| 37 | Fog lamp not working | 0.32% |
| 38 | Front suspension fault | 0.31% |
| 39 | Indicator fault | 0.30% |
| 40 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.29% |
| 41 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.26% |
| 42 | Steering rack fault | 0.23% |
| 43 | Brake lever fault | 0.22% |
| 44 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.21% |
| 45 | Brake pedal fault | 0.20% |
| 46 | Chassis condition | 0.19% |
| 47 | Horn not working | 0.19% |
| 48 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.17% |
| 49 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.16% |
| 50 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.16% |
| 51 | Brake caliper fault | 0.15% |
| 52 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.15% |
| 53 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.14% |
| 54 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.14% |
| 55 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.12% |
| 56 | Brake fluid leak | 0.12% |
| 57 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.09% |
| 58 | Engine oil leak | 0.08% |
| 59 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.08% |
| 60 | Steering lock fault | 0.08% |
| 61 | Rear suspension fault | 0.08% |
| 62 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.07% |
| 63 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.07% |
| 64 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.06% |
| 65 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.06% |
| 66 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.05% |
| 67 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.04% |
| 68 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.04% |
| 69 | Front passenger door fault | 0.04% |
| 70 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 71 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.04% |
| 72 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.04% |
| 73 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.04% |
| 74 | Driver airbag fault | 0.04% |
| 75 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.04% |
| 76 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 77 | Propshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 78 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 79 | Spare wheel fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 81 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.03% |
| 83 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 84 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.02% |
| 85 | Electrical switch fault | 0.02% |
| 86 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 88 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 89 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Towbar fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 95 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 96 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 97 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 98 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 99 | Power steering pump fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.01% |
| 101 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 102 | Drag link end worn | 0.01% |
| 103 | Steering operation fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 105 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 108 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 109 | Body security fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Steering arm worn | <0.01% |
| 113 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 114 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 118 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 119 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 123 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 126 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 127 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 129 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 130 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Steering free play excessive | <0.01% |
| 132 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 133 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 136 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 144 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 145 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 147 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 148 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 151 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 152 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 155 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 156 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 157 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 158 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 159 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 162 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 165 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 166 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 169 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 170 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 170 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Kia Carens MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Kia Carens, 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 Carens problems?
Based on analysis of 328K Kia Carens MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 15 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake performance below minimum". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Kia Carens generation has the most problems?
The Kia Carens Mk1 (2000-2006) (2000–2006) has the highest number of identified common problems (17). Click the generation card above for the 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 Carens?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Kia Carens owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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