Large family car · 2017–2021 cars
Kia Stinger reliability
The Kia Stinger fails 10.7% of first MOT tests, 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 7,198 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Kia Stinger before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 10.7%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 25% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 7,198
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,900
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Kia Stinger ages
Each point is the share of Kia Stingers of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Kia Stinger | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 10% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 10.9% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 13.5% | 19.1% |
By year
The best and worst Kia Stinger years
2019 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 569 | 7.6% | 36% fewer fails | 23,546 |
| 2019 Stinger | 3,202 | 10.3% | 25% fewer fails | 32,349 |
| 2018 Stinger | 2,710 | 12.2% | 18% fewer fails | 36,345 |
| 2017 | 624 | 9.8% | 40% fewer fails | 38,005 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Kia Stinger
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres4.9%3% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.3%27% below avg
- Brakes2.1%18% below avg
- Lights and electrics1.5%55% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.8%253% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.6%30% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.2%58% below avg
- Wheels0.1%63% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0%87% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.69% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.57% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.17% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.01% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 5
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.83% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 6
Headlamp aim set too low 0.67% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 7
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.5% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
- 8
Number plate does not meet standards 0.29% of tests
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Kia Stinger's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit11.2%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.86%
- Brake disc pitted or scored2.06%
- Tyre has a shallow cut1.9%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking1.86%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit1.61%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Kia Stinger
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 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
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 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 Stinger covers about 7,900 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
- Petrol76%
- Diesel24%
Most common colours
Grey, Red, Black, White, Yellow
Average engine size: 2.6 litres.
Compare
How the Kia Stinger compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Kia Stinger | 10.7% | 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Exeo | 33.4% | 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MG ZT | 35.1% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Signum | 44% | about average for its age |
| Alfa Romeo 159 | 42.6% | about average for its age |
| Peugeot 406 | 44.2% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën DS5 | 36.6% | 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every large family car ranked in the large family car reliability index, or all Kia models.
Questions
Kia Stinger questions, answered
Is the Kia Stinger reliable?
On MOT results, the Kia Stinger is better than average: it fails 10.7% of first MOT tests, 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 2 of 29 large family car models in our index.
What fails most on a Kia Stinger MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Kia Stinger are tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.69% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.57% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.17% of tests). By area, tyres fails 4.9% of its tests.
Which Kia Stinger year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2019 cars do best (25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Kia Stinger do a year?
A typical Kia Stinger covers about 7,900 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 Stinger 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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