Used buying checklist
KIA Stinger reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used KIA Stinger looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 8.9% of 2,115 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and lights and electrical.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and lights and electrical.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 8.9% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 31,119 miles
- 188 failed MOT tests analysed
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest area to check
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (5.6 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include provides insufficient washer liquid, does not clear the windscreen effectively, and items removed from drivers view prior to test.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- provides insufficient washer liquid
- does not clear the windscreen effectively
- Items removed from drivers view prior to test
- damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
- Nail in tyre
- inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
- has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced
- slightly loose
- worn down to wear indicator
- ball joint excessively worn
Focus on windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and lights and electrical
The model's recorded failure rate is 8.9%, -9.8 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed2,115 tests
- Median tested mileage31,119 miles
- Failed MOT tests188
Should you buy a used KIA Stinger?
91.1% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 8.9%, -9.8 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and lights and electrical
- windscreen, wipers, and mirrors appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "provides insufficient washer liquid"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and lights and electrical.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (5.6 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the KIA Stinger, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
The MOT failure rate rises from 5.2% at 0-3 years to 5.0% at 6-10 years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, lights and electrical, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
4 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, lights and electrical, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (5.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Other MOT issues Seen in MOT results
Other MOT issues is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (90.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Read the MOT history closely and ask what has changed since the last test.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the KIA Stinger, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (5.6 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the KIA Stinger mainly involve 2 areas: emissions, engine, and exhaust and lights and electrical. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the KIA Stinger, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 1,836 | 1,636 | 8.6%-2.3 percentage points vs all models | 28,510 miles |
| 50-100k | 267 | 228 | 11.2%-9.5 percentage points vs all models | 59,382 miles |
| 100-150k | 7 | 5 | 14.3%-11.9 percentage points vs all models | 114,487 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the KIA Stinger, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 5.2% at 0-3 years to 5.0% at 6-10 years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 9.2% for 3-6 years cars, based on 1,942 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
153 | 146 | 5.2%-3.2 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
1,942 | 1,707 | 9.2%-1.4 percentage points vs all models | 4.3 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
20 | 19 | 5.0%-11.6 percentage points vs all models | 6.0 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
4 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2024-08-08 | Kia Stinger Oil Feed Pipe Leak On affected vehicles due to exposure to radiant heat from the exhaust manifold the turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose assembly may deteriorate over time this could cause an oil leak. On affected vehicles the turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose assembly will be replaced. |
|---|---|
| 2024-06-17 | Kia Stinger High Pressure Fuel Pump Recall On affected vehicles misalignment of the fuel control valve plunger in the high pressure fuel pump can result in uneven wear. This may potentially result in loss of motive power and in some cases the check engine light may illuminate. On affected vehicles the control software will be updated the high pressure fuel pump will be checked and if necessary replaced. |
| 2021-05-17 | THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WITHIN THE HECU MAY EXPERIENCE A SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION The electrical circuit within the HECU may experience a short circuit condition that results in excessive current. Replace the multi fuse assembly with a lower amperage version & replace the junction box cover. |
| 2020-11-16 | THE VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF POWER DUE TO INSUFFICIENT FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE On affected vehicle a blocked fuel pump nozzle may lead to a loss of power. Inspect the nozzle and replace if burs are detected. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the KIA Stinger. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other KIA reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.