MPV and people carrier · 2000–2019 cars
Kia Carens reliability
The Kia Carens fails 35.6% of first MOT tests, 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 52,059 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Kia Carens before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 35.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 25% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 52,059
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,900
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Kia Carens ages
Each point is the share of Kia Carenss of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Kia Carens | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 20% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 21.9% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 24% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 25% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 28.1% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 31.8% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 35.2% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 35.8% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 44.2% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 46.8% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 48.5% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 51.8% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 54.3% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 54% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 60.1% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 64% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 54.6% | 43.4% |
By year
The best and worst Kia Carens years
2013 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 242 | 24.4% | 64% more fails | 38,744 |
| 2018 Carens | 5,386 | 22.9% | 47% more fails | 39,162 |
| 2017 Carens | 6,124 | 24.6% | 33% more fails | 49,035 |
| 2016 Carens | 5,845 | 26.9% | 26% more fails | 58,467 |
| 2015 Carens | 6,914 | 29.2% | 17% more fails | 67,458 |
| 2014 Carens | 7,261 | 32.6% | 15% more fails | 75,880 |
| 2013 Carens | 4,600 | 35.7% | 14% more fails | 84,085 |
| 2012 | 366 | 47.8% | 42% more fails | 82,311 |
| 2011 Carens | 1,267 | 47.1% | 29% more fails | 89,924 |
| 2010 Carens | 1,193 | 44.8% | 17% more fails | 92,721 |
| 2009 Carens | 4,213 | 49.4% | 22% more fails | 95,028 |
| 2008 Carens | 4,031 | 52.3% | 24% more fails | 97,912 |
| 2007 Carens | 1,973 | 54.6% | 27% more fails | 102,775 |
| 2006 Carens | 1,199 | 60.1% | 43% more fails | 91,954 |
| 2005 | 647 | 64.1% | 54% more fails | 83,830 |
| 2004 | 433 | 57.5% | 42% more fails | 77,466 |
| 2003 | 267 | 53.9% | 37% more fails | 71,271 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Kia Carens
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 113% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics14%28% above avg
- Brakes13.8%110% above avg
- Suspension9.8%11% above avg
- Tyres9%36% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.4%19% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.1%1% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure2.9%10% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.9%113% above avg
- Steering1.8%2% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 4.18% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Stop lamp not working 4.16% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.65% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 4
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.66% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.47% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.37% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 7
Position lamp not working 2.36% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 8
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.3% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Kia Carens's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit17.34%
- Brake pads wearing thin13.24%
- Brake disc pitted or scored11.35%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.88%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear5.09%
- Child seat limits belt inspection4.24%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Kia Carens
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 4
Dipped beam headlamp not working
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Kia Carens covers about 8,900 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel77.4%
- Petrol22.5%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Silver, Black, Blue, White, Red
Average engine size: 1.8 litres.
Compare
How the Kia Carens compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Elgrand | 29% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Caravelle | 33.5% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Altea | 41.2% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Tourneo | 25.6% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Focus C-Max | 48.7% | 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Carens | 35.6% | 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C4 Grand Picasso | 28.6% | 49% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every mpv and people carrier ranked in the mpv and people carrier reliability index, or all Kia models.
Questions
Kia Carens questions, answered
Is the Kia Carens reliable?
On MOT results, the Kia Carens is below average: it fails 35.6% of first MOT tests, 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 39 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.
What fails most on a Kia Carens MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Kia Carens are brake pads worn below 1.5mm (4.18% of tests), stop lamp not working (4.16% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (3.65% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 14% of its tests.
Which Kia Carens year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2013 cars do best (14% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (47% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Kia Carens do a year?
A typical Kia Carens covers about 8,900 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Kia Carens before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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