Kia Shuma Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kia Shuma car check
Is the Kia Shuma reliable? We analysed 66,231 real MOT tests across 7,069 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kia Shuma? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kia Shuma is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pipe excessively corroded and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kia Shuma.
Kia Shuma Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kia Shuma. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kia Shuma MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kia Shuma to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kia Shuma Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kia Shuma fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kia Shuma Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kia Shuma owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kia Shuma MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kia Shuma year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1,259 | 71.6% | 31,398 | 49,106 | 67,242 |
| 2003 | 6,163 | 70.7% | 31,476 | 48,872 | 68,318 |
| 2002 | 5,689 | 71.1% | 36,778 | 54,988 | 76,469 |
| 2001 | 25,237 | 66.5% | 40,915 | 55,832 | 72,918 |
| 2000 | 18,159 | 64.0% | 44,844 | 60,292 | 77,783 |
| 1999 | 9,375 | 62.9% | 48,586 | 64,112 | 82,078 |
| 1998 | 303 | 62.0% | 51,093 | 69,837 | 93,446 |
How Long Does a Kia Shuma Last?
Based on 7,069 Kia Shuma vehicles on UK roads.
Kia Shuma Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kia Shuma 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 Shuma
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
71.6% MOT pass rate from 1,259 tests
62.0% MOT pass rate from 303 tests
The best year to buy a used Kia Shuma is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 71.6% across 1,259 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kia Shuma Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Shuma THIS CAR | 66.2% | 66,231 | 57,617 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 |
| Ford Transit 350 Trend Ecoblue | 76.8% | 46,019 | 55,462 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Kia Sportage (80.4% pass rate) and the Kia Picanto (77.1% pass rate), the Kia Shuma trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Kia Shuma 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 ShumaShould you buy a used Kia Shuma?
The Kia Shuma has an overall MOT pass rate of 66.2% across 66,231 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Kia Shuma are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5,430 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (5,169), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (4,743). 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 Shuma owner drives around 5,428 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 Shuma 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.