Family hatchback · 2001–2021 cars
Kia Soul reliability
The Kia Soul fails 28.5% of first MOT tests, 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 77,973 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Kia Soul before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 28.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 5% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 77,973
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,900
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Kia Soul ages
Each point is the share of Kia Souls of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Kia Soul | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10.7% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 13% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 13.5% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 14.3% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 17% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 20% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 27.5% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 36.2% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 39.5% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 42.1% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 42% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 45.6% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 40.1% | 42.3% |
By year
The best and worst Kia Soul years
2016 cars come out best and 2013 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 374 | 8% | 30% fewer fails | 23,759 |
| 2020 Soul | 1,433 | 11.1% | 9% fewer fails | 27,810 |
| 2019 | 923 | 11.7% | 0% fewer fails | 21,955 |
| 2018 Soul | 6,584 | 13% | 3% fewer fails | 28,816 |
| 2017 Soul | 5,740 | 14.6% | 9% fewer fails | 35,530 |
| 2016 Soul | 7,296 | 15% | 20% fewer fails | 43,732 |
| 2015 Soul | 8,815 | 18% | 19% fewer fails | 51,914 |
| 2014 Soul | 8,627 | 22.7% | 11% fewer fails | 58,011 |
| 2013 Soul | 4,292 | 35.2% | 25% more fails | 61,947 |
| 2012 Soul | 5,279 | 38.1% | 21% more fails | 70,333 |
| 2011 Soul | 11,295 | 40.5% | 14% more fails | 81,141 |
| 2010 Soul | 9,943 | 42.7% | 12% more fails | 86,481 |
| 2009 Soul | 7,371 | 43.8% | 9% more fails | 92,206 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Kia Soul
Its weak spot is steering: 365% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics9.1%12% below avg
- Brakes8.4%42% above avg
- Steering7.8%365% above avg
- Suspension6.5%24% below avg
- Tyres6.2%1% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.9%12% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.3%53% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.3%51% below avg
- Wheels0.3%22% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 6.04% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Position lamp not working 2.9% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.26% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.24% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.06% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 6
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 1.78% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 7
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 1.57% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.36% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Kia Soul's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit13.65%
- Brake disc pitted or scored9.1%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.72%
- Brake pads wearing thin8.18%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy5.96%
- Track rod ball joint slight play3.76%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Kia Soul
- 1
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
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.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 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 Soul covers about 6,900 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
- Diesel62.9%
- Petrol31.1%
- Electric6%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Silver, Black, White, Red, Blue
Average engine size: 1.6 litres.
Compare
How the Kia Soul compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Subaru Impreza | 25% | 38% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Rapid | 23.9% | about average for its age |
| Volvo C30 | 40% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Giulietta | 30.4% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo S40 | 42.7% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Soul | 28.5% | 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Pulsar | 23.9% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Kia models.
Questions
Kia Soul questions, answered
Is the Kia Soul reliable?
On MOT results, the Kia Soul is about average: it fails 28.5% of first MOT tests, 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 32 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Kia Soul MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Kia Soul are track rod end ball joint excessively worn (6.04% of tests), position lamp not working (2.9% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.26% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 9.1% of its tests.
Which Kia Soul year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2013 cars do worst (25% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Kia Soul do a year?
A typical Kia Soul covers about 6,900 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 Soul 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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