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KIA reliability and common MOT problems by model

KIA shows a 17.7% combined MOT failure rate across 1,036,719 tests in MOTIntel data. Stonic has one of the lower high-confidence rates at 7.4%. Sedona deserves extra checking at 28.9%.

Statistics are built from DVSA MOT tests carried out in calendar year 2023, plus official recall records and MOT fault wording data. Report index generated 2026-05-09.

Most reliable KIA models in MOT data

#	Model	MOT failure rate	Tests	Vehicles
1	KIA Stonic	7.4%	20,583 tests	18,304 vehicles
2	KIA Niro 4 Ev	7.4%	7,673 tests	6,141 vehicles
3	KIA Niro	8.2%	40,429 tests	32,179 vehicles
4	KIA Optima	14.8%	13,380 tests	10,646 vehicles
5	KIA Sportage	15.9%	290,096 tests	234,993 vehicles

KIA models with the highest MOT failure rates

#	Model	MOT failure rate	Tests	Vehicles
1	KIA Sedona	28.9%	8,352 tests	5,907 vehicles
2	KIA Carens	23.0%	20,362 tests	15,357 vehicles
3	KIA Sorento	21.5%	44,545 tests	34,248 vehicles
4	KIA Ceed	21.4%	146,115 tests	111,974 vehicles
5	KIA Rio	19.9%	121,121 tests	94,526 vehicles

Common KIA MOT problem areas

#	Problem area	MOT notes	Models affected	What to check	High-rate examples
1	Corrosion and structure	179,658 MOT notes	12 models	Inspect sills, subframes, suspension mounts, brake pipes, and previous welding or rust repairs.	KIA Sedona, KIA Sorento, KIA Picanto
2	Suspension and steering	172,474 MOT notes	13 models	Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and ask whether worn joints or bushes have been replaced.	KIA Sedona, KIA Soul, KIA Ceed
3	Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors	75,172 MOT notes	13 models	Check the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, chips, cracks, and whether the driver's view is clear.	KIA Sedona, KIA Soul, KIA Ceed
4	Lights and electrical	74,587 MOT notes	13 models	Test every exterior light, warning lamp, horn, washer, and basic electrical function before buying.	KIA Sedona, KIA Sorento, KIA Carens
5	Emissions, engine, and exhaust	54,156 MOT notes	12 models	Check cold starts, exhaust smoke, warning lights, service history, and recent emissions repairs.	KIA Sedona, KIA Picanto, KIA Carens
6	Tyres and wheels	22,142 MOT notes	13 models	Look for matching tyres, legal tread, sidewall damage, wheel damage, and uneven wear.	KIA Sorento, KIA Sportage, KIA Sedona

All KIA model reports

Model	MOT tests	Vehicles	Failure rate
Sportage	290,096	234,993	15.9%
Picanto	215,314	166,409	18.9%
Ceed	146,115	111,974	21.4%
Rio	121,121	94,526	19.9%
Venga	57,198	46,313	16.8%
Sorento	44,545	34,248	21.5%
Niro	40,429	32,179	8.2%
Soul	28,529	22,153	19.5%
Stonic	20,583	18,304	7.4%
Carens	20,362	15,357	23.0%
Optima	13,380	10,646	14.8%
Sedona	8,352	5,907	28.9%
Niro 4 Ev	7,673	6,141	7.4%
Niro 2 Ev limited data	4,222	2,189	3.8%
Niro 3 Ev limited data	3,140	1,602	5.0%
Xceed 3 Isg limited data	2,434	2,087	8.7%
Proceed limited data	2,169	1,577	25.9%
Xceed 2 Isg limited data	2,158	1,898	6.4%
Stinger limited data	2,115	1,874	8.9%
Ceed Gt Line Isg limited data	1,485	1,290	9.2%
Sportage Platinum Edition Isg limited data	1,469	1,307	7.8%
Cerato limited data	1,352	961	31.8%
Sportage 2 Crdi Isg Mhev S A limited data	1,329	1,140	8.2%
Sportage 2 Crdi Isg Mhev limited data	1,149	1,005	8.4%

Models with limited data (fewer than 20,000 tests or 10,000 vehicles) have full reports but are not indexed in search engines until the evidence threshold is met.