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Kia Shuma SX Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Kia Shuma SX car check

Is the Kia Shuma SX reliable? We analysed 1,152 real MOT tests across 232 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,152 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
63.5%
Typical Mileage
62,468mi
Annual Mileage
7,986mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
27yrs

The Kia Shuma SX 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 parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kia Shuma SX.

Kia Shuma SX Number Plates

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

Kia Shuma SX MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

64.9%
2001
64.9%
2000
60%
1999

Kia Shuma SX Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Brake pipe excessively corroded 145
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 137
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 95
constant velocity joint gaiter split 80
position lamp(s) not working 79
Registration plate lamp not working 62
Direction indicator incorrect colour 56
Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint 53
parking brake recording little or no effort 47
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel 45

Kia Shuma SX Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
5,550 mi/yr
Typical
7,986 mi/yr
Average
9,313 mi/yr
Heavy usage
11,635 mi/yr

Kia Shuma SX MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2001 462 64.9% 41,425 54,992 69,004
2000 350 64.9% 53,573 67,821 87,546
1999 340 60.0% 54,423 69,311 84,732

How Long Does a Kia Shuma SX Last?

Based on 232 Kia Shuma SX vehicles on UK roads.

Average
7.3 years
Median
7.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
27 years

Kia Shuma SX Mileage Distribution

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

Median
62,468 mi
75th Percentile
79,527 mi
95th Percentile
108,302 mi
Max Recorded
164,703 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Kia Shuma SX

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

Best year
2000

64.9% MOT pass rate from 350 tests

Year to avoid
1999

60.0% MOT pass rate from 340 tests

The best year to buy a used Kia Shuma SX is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 64.9% across 350 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.0% — 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 SX Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Kia Shuma SX THIS CAR 63.5% 1,152 62,468 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
Aprilia Atlantic 125 79.5% 1,489 12,065 mi 23 yrs

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

Found a Kia Shuma SX you like?

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Should you buy a used Kia Shuma SX?

The Kia Shuma SX has an overall MOT pass rate of 63.5% across 1,152 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.

The most common problems on the Kia Shuma SX are brake pipe excessively corroded (145 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (137), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (95). 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 SX owner drives around 7,986 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 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 Shuma SX — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Kia Shuma SX reliable?
Based on 1,152 MOT tests, the Kia Shuma SX has a 63.5% pass rate — below average, so factor in potential repair costs.
What are the common problems on a Kia Shuma SX?
The most common MOT failures are brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Kia Shuma SX do per year?
The typical Kia Shuma SX does around 7,986 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Kia Shuma SX last?
Most Kia Shuma SX models stay on UK roads for around 27 years based on our analysis of 232 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Kia Shuma 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 Shuma SX?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Kia Shuma SX is 2000 with a 64.9% pass rate across 350 tests.