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Perodua Kenari Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Perodua Kenari car check

Is the Perodua Kenari reliable? We analysed 26,232 real MOT tests across 1,981 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 26,232 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
75.2%
Typical Mileage
38,394mi
Annual Mileage
3,399mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
26yrs

The Perodua Kenari is above 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 windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Perodua Kenari.

Perodua Kenari Number Plates

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

Perodua Kenari MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

80.9%
2010
76.8%
2009
77.5%
2008
77.2%
2007
80.7%
2006
76.2%
2005
76.7%
2004
74.6%
2003
73.5%
2002
72.8%
2001
75.4%
2000

Perodua Kenari Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1,306
Brake pipe excessively corroded 622
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 570
Stop lamp not working 453
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 395
Registration plate lamp not working 382
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 342
Headlamp aim too low 257
Brakes imbalanced across an axle 235
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 225

Perodua Kenari Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
1,703 mi/yr
Typical
3,399 mi/yr
Average
4,423 mi/yr
Heavy usage
5,963 mi/yr

Perodua Kenari MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2010 559 80.9% 17,506 29,959 46,730
2009 552 76.8% 14,774 29,262 47,543
2008 871 77.5% 19,494 31,155 48,818
2007 1,021 77.2% 17,719 29,070 46,618
2006 1,620 80.7% 19,174 31,596 49,850
2005 2,849 76.2% 21,683 35,140 54,129
2004 3,221 76.7% 21,571 34,577 50,854
2003 4,214 74.6% 22,024 36,569 53,404
2002 4,839 73.5% 29,723 43,892 60,894
2001 5,885 72.8% 29,377 44,004 61,568
2000 548 75.4% 23,849 36,252 51,170

How Long Does a Perodua Kenari Last?

Based on 1,981 Perodua Kenari vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.6 years
Median
12.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
26 years

Perodua Kenari Mileage Distribution

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

Median
38,394 mi
75th Percentile
55,942 mi
95th Percentile
85,727 mi
Max Recorded
773,342 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Perodua Kenari

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

Best year
2010

80.9% MOT pass rate from 559 tests

Year to avoid
2001

72.8% MOT pass rate from 5,885 tests

The best year to buy a used Perodua Kenari is 2010, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.9% across 559 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Perodua Kenari Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Perodua Kenari THIS CAR 75.2% 26,232 38,394 mi 26 yrs
Perodua Myvi 79.7% 39,072 42,075 mi 20 yrs
Perodua Kelisa 75.5% 32,272 34,289 mi 24 yrs
Perodua Nippa 68% 22,694 41,315 mi 29 yrs
BMW F650 82.4% 23,786 26,524 mi 32 yrs

Compared to the Perodua Myvi (79.7% pass rate) and the Perodua Kelisa (75.5% pass rate), the Perodua Kenari trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Perodua Kenari?

The Perodua Kenari has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.2% across 26,232 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Perodua Kenari are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,306 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (622), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (570). 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 Perodua Kenari owner drives around 3,399 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 Perodua Kenari models stay on UK roads for around 26 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.

Perodua Kenari — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Perodua Kenari reliable?
Based on 26,232 MOT tests, the Perodua Kenari has a 75.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Perodua Kenari?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pipe excessively corroded, and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Perodua Kenari do per year?
The typical Perodua Kenari does around 3,399 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Perodua Kenari last?
Most Perodua Kenari models stay on UK roads for around 26 years based on our analysis of 1,981 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Perodua Kenari?
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 Perodua Kenari?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Perodua Kenari is 2010 with a 80.9% pass rate across 559 tests.