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Kia Mentor Glx Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kia Mentor Glx car check

Is the Kia Mentor Glx reliable? We analysed 1,384 real MOT tests across 307 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,384 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
59.0%
Typical Mileage
77,935mi
Annual Mileage
5,985mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
32yrs

The Kia Mentor Glx is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, constant velocity joint gaiter split and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kia Mentor Glx.

Kia Mentor Glx Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Kia Mentor Glx. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Kia Mentor Glx MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Kia Mentor Glx to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

57.4%
1998
59.7%
1997
59.2%
1996
55.6%
1995
60.9%
1994

Kia Mentor Glx Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Kia Mentor Glx fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Brake pipe excessively corroded 349
constant velocity joint gaiter split 159
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 123
Direction indicator incorrect colour 99
Stop lamp not working 91
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 72
Registration plate lamp not working 72
position lamp(s) not working 65
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 54
Side repeater incorrect colour 52

Kia Mentor Glx Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Kia Mentor Glx owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
3,903 mi/yr
Typical
5,985 mi/yr
Average
6,837 mi/yr
Heavy usage
8,508 mi/yr

Kia Mentor Glx MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kia Mentor Glx year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1998 108 57.4% 54,365 64,290 79,253
1997 595 59.7% 60,662 73,804 87,174
1996 431 59.2% 68,720 81,031 98,512
1995 144 55.6% 72,976 84,884 101,588
1994 92 60.9% 70,196 87,746 105,611

How Long Does a Kia Mentor Glx Last?

Based on 307 Kia Mentor Glx vehicles on UK roads.

Average
10.7 years
Median
11.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
32 years

Kia Mentor Glx Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Kia Mentor Glx MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
77,935 mi
75th Percentile
92,212 mi
95th Percentile
121,065 mi
Max Recorded
722,576 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kia Mentor Glx

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1994

60.9% MOT pass rate from 92 tests

Year to avoid
1995

55.6% MOT pass rate from 144 tests

The best year to buy a used Kia Mentor Glx is 1994, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 60.9% across 92 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 55.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kia Mentor Glx Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kia Mentor Glx THIS CAR 59.0% 1,384 77,935 mi 32 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 Ceed 76.1% 1,665,385 60,630 mi 19 yrs
Hyundai I10 SE Auto 96.9% 1,230 24,076 mi — yrs

Compared to the Kia Sportage (80.4% pass rate) and the Kia Picanto (77.1% pass rate), the Kia Mentor Glx trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Kia Mentor Glx?

The Kia Mentor Glx has an overall MOT pass rate of 59.0% across 1,384 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.

The most common problems on the Kia Mentor Glx are brake pipe excessively corroded (349 recorded failures), constant velocity joint gaiter split (159), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (123). 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.

A typical Kia Mentor Glx owner drives around 5,985 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 Mentor Glx models stay on UK roads for around 32 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.

Kia Mentor Glx — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kia Mentor Glx reliable?
Based on 1,384 MOT tests, the Kia Mentor Glx has a 59.0% pass rate — below average, so factor in potential repair costs.
What are the common problems on a Kia Mentor Glx?
The most common MOT failures are brake pipe excessively corroded, constant velocity joint gaiter split, and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kia Mentor Glx do per year?
The typical Kia Mentor Glx does around 5,985 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kia Mentor Glx last?
Most Kia Mentor Glx models stay on UK roads for around 32 years based on our analysis of 307 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kia Mentor Glx?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Kia Mentor Glx?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kia Mentor Glx is 1994 with a 60.9% pass rate across 92 tests.