At a Glance
The Kia Ceed has 28 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the Mk1 (2007-2012) being the most affected generation and tyres & wheels the most common problem category. Based on 1.1M 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 Ceed 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 Ceed 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 Ceed Generations
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Most Common Kia Ceed MOT Failures
Every reason Kia Ceed 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 condition | 9.77% |
| 2 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 9.65% |
| 3 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 7.76% |
| 4 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 7.14% |
| 5 | Stop lamp not working | 6.56% |
| 6 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.40% |
| 7 | Brake performance below minimum | 6.39% |
| 8 | Brake pads or linings worn | 5.32% |
| 9 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.66% |
| 10 | Track rod end worn | 3.98% |
| 11 | Position lamp not working | 3.19% |
| 12 | Front lamp not working | 2.41% |
| 13 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.16% |
| 14 | Headlamp fault | 2.06% |
| 15 | Driveshaft fault | 2.03% |
| 16 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 2.03% |
| 17 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.90% |
| 18 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.35% |
| 19 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 1.18% |
| 20 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.14% |
| 21 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.10% |
| 22 | Parking brake condition | 0.98% |
| 23 | Steering rack fault | 0.79% |
| 24 | Exhaust system fault | 0.77% |
| 25 | Indicator fault | 0.74% |
| 26 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.68% |
| 27 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.54% |
| 28 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.53% |
| 29 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.35% |
| 30 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.34% |
| 31 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.32% |
| 32 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.32% |
| 33 | Seat belt condition | 0.31% |
| 34 | ABS fault | 0.30% |
| 35 | Fog lamp not working | 0.27% |
| 36 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.23% |
| 37 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.22% |
| 38 | Brake lever fault | 0.21% |
| 39 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.19% |
| 40 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.18% |
| 41 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.18% |
| 42 | Airbag warning light on | 0.17% |
| 43 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.16% |
| 44 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.16% |
| 45 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.14% |
| 46 | Rear lamp not working | 0.14% |
| 47 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.14% |
| 48 | Brake caliper fault | 0.13% |
| 49 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.13% |
| 50 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.12% |
| 51 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.12% |
| 52 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.11% |
| 53 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.11% |
| 54 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.09% |
| 55 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.09% |
| 56 | Brake pedal fault | 0.08% |
| 57 | Front suspension fault | 0.08% |
| 58 | Horn not working | 0.08% |
| 59 | Front passenger door fault | 0.07% |
| 60 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.07% |
| 61 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.05% |
| 62 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.05% |
| 63 | Steering lock fault | 0.05% |
| 64 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.05% |
| 65 | Engine oil leak | 0.05% |
| 66 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.04% |
| 67 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.04% |
| 68 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.04% |
| 69 | Drag link end worn | 0.04% |
| 70 | Propshaft fault | 0.04% |
| 71 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.04% |
| 72 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 0.04% |
| 73 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.03% |
| 74 | Electric power steering fault | 0.03% |
| 75 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.03% |
| 76 | Steering column fault | 0.03% |
| 77 | Rear suspension fault | 0.03% |
| 78 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 79 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.02% |
| 80 | Universal joint worn | 0.02% |
| 81 | Steering coupling worn | 0.02% |
| 82 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 83 | Steering arm worn | 0.02% |
| 84 | Steering free play excessive | 0.02% |
| 85 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 86 | Daytime running lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 87 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 88 | Brake fluid leak | 0.01% |
| 89 | Electrical switch fault | 0.01% |
| 90 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.01% |
| 91 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.01% |
| 92 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.01% |
| 93 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.01% |
| 94 | Driver seat fault | 0.01% |
| 95 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 96 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 97 | Chassis condition | <0.01% |
| 98 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 99 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 100 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 101 | Steering operation fault | <0.01% |
| 102 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 103 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 105 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 106 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 108 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 109 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 110 | Handbrake cable fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 112 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Driver airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Body security fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 117 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 118 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 119 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 120 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 121 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 122 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 123 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 127 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 128 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 131 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 137 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 138 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | <0.01% |
| 143 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 145 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 146 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 151 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 152 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 153 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 154 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 155 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 156 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 158 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 162 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 165 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 166 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 168 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 169 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 171 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Kia Ceed MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Kia Ceed, 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 Ceed problems?
Based on analysis of 1.1M Kia Ceed MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 28 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Position lamp not working". Tyres & Wheels is the most common problem category.
Which Kia Ceed generation has the most problems?
The Kia Ceed Mk1 (2007-2012) (2007–2012) has the highest number of identified common problems (25). 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 Ceed?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Kia Ceed owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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