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Kia Pride SX Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kia Pride SX car check

Is the Kia Pride SX reliable? We analysed 1,813 real MOT tests across 364 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,813 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
57.5%
Typical Mileage
52,955mi
Annual Mileage
5,496mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
27yrs

The Kia Pride SX is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kia Pride SX.

Kia Pride SX Number Plates

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

Kia Pride SX MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

56.7%
2000
58.5%
1999

Kia Pride SX Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Brake pipe excessively corroded 394
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 295
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive 179
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 170
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 168
brake binding 161
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 139
position lamp(s) not working 134
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive 103
wheel bearing has excessive play 95

Kia Pride SX Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
3,492 mi/yr
Typical
5,496 mi/yr
Average
6,285 mi/yr
Heavy usage
8,425 mi/yr

Kia Pride SX MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2000 1,017 56.7% 40,611 53,644 69,884
1999 791 58.5% 40,404 52,814 64,738

How Long Does a Kia Pride SX Last?

Based on 364 Kia Pride SX vehicles on UK roads.

Average
7.9 years
Median
8.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
27 years

Kia Pride SX Mileage Distribution

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

Median
52,955 mi
75th Percentile
67,345 mi
95th Percentile
92,811 mi
Max Recorded
733,919 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kia Pride SX

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

Best year
1999

58.5% MOT pass rate from 791 tests

Year to avoid
2000

56.7% MOT pass rate from 1,017 tests

The best year to buy a used Kia Pride SX is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 58.5% across 791 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 56.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Kia Pride SX Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kia Pride SX THIS CAR 57.5% 1,813 52,955 mi 27 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
Honda Sh 125 A 83.8% 1,436 16,877 mi 16 yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Kia Pride SX?

The Kia Pride SX has an overall MOT pass rate of 57.5% across 1,813 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.

The most common problems on the Kia Pride SX are brake pipe excessively corroded (394 recorded failures), exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (295), and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (179). 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 Pride SX owner drives around 5,496 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 Pride SX models stay on UK roads for around 27 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 Pride SX — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kia Pride SX reliable?
Based on 1,813 MOT tests, the Kia Pride SX has a 57.5% pass rate — below average, so factor in potential repair costs.
What are the common problems on a Kia Pride SX?
The most common MOT failures are brake pipe excessively corroded, exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive, and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kia Pride SX do per year?
The typical Kia Pride SX does around 5,496 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kia Pride SX last?
Most Kia Pride SX models stay on UK roads for around 27 years based on our analysis of 364 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kia Pride SX?
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 Pride SX?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kia Pride SX is 1999 with a 58.5% pass rate across 791 tests.