Small SUV · 2017–2021 cars
Kia Stonic reliability
The Kia Stonic fails 11.9% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 53,130 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Kia Stonic before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 11.9%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 10% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 53,130
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,400
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Kia Stonic ages
Each point is the share of Kia Stonics of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Kia Stonic | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9.3% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 12.3% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 13.8% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 16.2% | 19.1% |
By year
The best and worst Kia Stonic years
2021 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Stonic | 1,134 | 5.8% | 44% fewer fails | 20,139 |
| 2020 Stonic | 6,190 | 9% | 18% fewer fails | 21,815 |
| 2019 Stonic | 20,583 | 11.6% | 7% fewer fails | 27,538 |
| 2018 Stonic | 22,786 | 13% | 9% fewer fails | 33,176 |
| 2017 Stonic | 2,437 | 14.3% | 10% fewer fails | 38,048 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Kia Stonic
Its weak spot is windscreen, wipers and mirrors: 55% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.9%55% above avg
- Brakes3.1%38% above avg
- Tyres2.8%38% below avg
- Lights and electrics1.8%40% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.5%36% below avg
- Suspension0.4%65% below avg
- Steering0.2%16% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.1%66% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.1%74% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.46% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.93% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.11% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.56% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 5
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.45% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 6
Dipped beam headlamp not working 0.36% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 7
Windscreen washers not working 0.33% of tests
Without working washers the windscreen cannot be cleaned while driving, which is a safety risk in dirty weather.
- 8
Headlamp aim set too low 0.32% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Kia Stonic's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit10.84%
- Brake pads wearing thin9.38%
- Brake disc pitted or scored4.61%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking2.45%
- Brake discs showing some wear2.27%
- Child seat limits belt inspection2.23%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Kia Stonic
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
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.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 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 Stonic covers about 7,400 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
- Petrol84.2%
- Diesel13.6%
- Hybrid2.3%
Most common colours
Grey, White, Red, Black, Yellow
Average engine size: 1.1 litres.
Compare
How the Kia Stonic compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Puma | 12.4% | 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Stonic | 11.9% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Kona | 11.7% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| BMW X2 | 14.1% | about average for its age |
| Citroën C3 Aircross | 14% | 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MG ZS | 18.3% | 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C4 Cactus | 24.9% | 54% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small suv ranked in the small suv reliability index, or all Kia models.
Questions
Kia Stonic questions, answered
Is the Kia Stonic reliable?
On MOT results, the Kia Stonic is about average: it fails 11.9% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 18 of 40 small suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Kia Stonic MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Kia Stonic are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.46% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.93% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.11% of tests). By area, windscreen, wipers and mirrors fails 4.9% of its tests.
Which Kia Stonic year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (44% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2019 cars do worst (7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Kia Stonic do a year?
A typical Kia Stonic covers about 7,400 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 Stonic 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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