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Kia Shuma S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kia Shuma S car check

Is the Kia Shuma S reliable? We analysed 813 real MOT tests across 166 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 813 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
64.6%
Typical Mileage
63,234mi
Annual Mileage
7,551mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
27yrs

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

Kia Shuma S Number Plates

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

Kia Shuma S MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

65.3%
2001
67.9%
2000
60.9%
1999

Kia Shuma S Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Brake pipe excessively corroded 94
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 85
constant velocity joint gaiter split 84
position lamp(s) not working 59
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 58
Registration plate lamp not working 56
Direction indicator incorrect colour 46
Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint 43
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel 42
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 40

Kia Shuma S Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
5,104 mi/yr
Typical
7,551 mi/yr
Average
8,789 mi/yr
Heavy usage
11,284 mi/yr

Kia Shuma S MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2001 346 65.3% 44,427 58,455 78,615
2000 209 67.9% 49,579 63,289 81,224
1999 258 60.9% 54,824 70,950 87,179

How Long Does a Kia Shuma S Last?

Based on 166 Kia Shuma S vehicles on UK roads.

Average
7.5 years
Median
7.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
27 years

Kia Shuma S Mileage Distribution

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

Median
63,234 mi
75th Percentile
83,108 mi
95th Percentile
108,300 mi
Max Recorded
903,033 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kia Shuma S

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

Best year
2000

67.9% MOT pass rate from 209 tests

Year to avoid
1999

60.9% MOT pass rate from 258 tests

The best year to buy a used Kia Shuma S is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 67.9% across 209 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.9% — 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 S Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kia Shuma S THIS CAR 64.6% 813 63,234 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
Saab 9000 Cs I 62.2% 1,191 133,214 mi 35 yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Kia Shuma S?

The Kia Shuma S has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.6% across 813 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.

The most common problems on the Kia Shuma S are brake pipe excessively corroded (94 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (85), and constant velocity joint gaiter split (84). 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 S owner drives around 7,551 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 S 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 Shuma S — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kia Shuma S reliable?
Based on 813 MOT tests, the Kia Shuma S has a 64.6% pass rate — below average, so factor in potential repair costs.
What are the common problems on a Kia Shuma S?
The most common MOT failures are brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and constant velocity joint gaiter split. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kia Shuma S do per year?
The typical Kia Shuma S does around 7,551 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kia Shuma S last?
Most Kia Shuma S models stay on UK roads for around 27 years based on our analysis of 166 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kia Shuma S?
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 Shuma S?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kia Shuma S is 2000 with a 67.9% pass rate across 209 tests.