Kia Ceed Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kia Ceed car check
Is the Kia Ceed reliable? We analysed 1,665,385 real MOT tests across 147,843 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kia Ceed? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kia Ceed is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kia Ceed.
Kia Ceed Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kia Ceed. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kia Ceed MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kia Ceed to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kia Ceed Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kia Ceed fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kia Ceed Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Kia Ceed models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Kia Ceed Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kia Ceed owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kia Ceed MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kia Ceed year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 115 | 95.7% | 7,129 | 18,212 | 30,140 |
| 2023 | 1,446 | 87.6% | 20,363 | 28,988 | 41,178 |
| 2022 | 6,530 | 87.6% | 21,851 | 30,402 | 43,182 |
| 2021 | 4,945 | 86.2% | 21,057 | 30,777 | 43,204 |
| 2020 | 6,956 | 86.7% | 20,293 | 30,750 | 45,050 |
| 2019 | 39,499 | 85.5% | 25,501 | 37,558 | 53,930 |
| 2018 | 59,067 | 85.7% | 26,900 | 40,321 | 58,407 |
| 2017 | 67,904 | 85.0% | 30,689 | 45,826 | 65,863 |
| 2016 | 87,223 | 83.0% | 32,716 | 49,381 | 71,098 |
| 2015 | 116,868 | 81.5% | 34,981 | 52,643 | 75,527 |
| 2014 | 136,063 | 79.1% | 37,328 | 56,958 | 81,438 |
| 2013 | 158,658 | 76.9% | 41,327 | 63,975 | 90,733 |
| 2012 | 195,775 | 74.0% | 43,464 | 66,761 | 94,318 |
| 2011 | 143,596 | 71.5% | 44,687 | 69,337 | 98,092 |
| 2010 | 183,961 | 72.3% | 42,693 | 67,447 | 96,204 |
| 2009 | 189,004 | 72.6% | 42,102 | 66,475 | 94,736 |
| 2008 | 159,257 | 72.2% | 43,708 | 69,721 | 98,888 |
| 2007 | 101,862 | 71.7% | 44,206 | 70,864 | 100,891 |
| 2006 | 58 | 69.0% | 43,056 | 73,630 | 100,881 |
How Long Does a Kia Ceed Last?
Based on 147,843 Kia Ceed vehicles on UK roads.
Kia Ceed Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kia Ceed MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Kia Ceed
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
95.7% MOT pass rate from 115 tests
69.0% MOT pass rate from 58 tests
The best year to buy a used Kia Ceed is 2024, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.7% across 115 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kia Ceed Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Ceed THIS CAR | 76.1% | 1,665,385 | 60,630 mi | 19 yrs |
| Kia Sportage | 80.4% | 2,634,551 | 53,679 mi | 26 yrs |
| Kia Picanto | 77.1% | 2,626,043 | 39,084 mi | 22 yrs |
| Kia Rio | 76.2% | 1,637,344 | 49,830 mi | 25 yrs |
| Toyota Hilux | 73.1% | 1,500,658 | 94,890 mi | 39 yrs |
Compared to the Kia Sportage (80.4% pass rate) and the Kia Picanto (77.1% pass rate), the Kia Ceed trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Kia Ceed you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Kia CeedShould you buy a used Kia Ceed?
The Kia Ceed has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.1% across 1,665,385 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Kia Ceed are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (17,111 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (10,158), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (10,091). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Kia Ceed with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Kia Ceed owner drives around 6,838 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Kia Ceed models stay on UK roads for around 19 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.