2005 Kia Carens diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Kia Carens diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Kia Carens diesel than on all cars registered in 2005.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints3.8× usual
  Kia Carens

  26.7% All 2005 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 16.7%, against 3.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Exhaust system2.1× usual
  Kia Carens

  19.5% All 2005 cars

  9.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 2.6% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Anti-roll bar link joints3× usual
  Kia Carens

  12.8% All 2005 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.5% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Brake lights2.3× usual
  Kia Carens

  12.5% All 2005 cars

  5.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.9%, against 4.4% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2005 Kia Carens diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Kia Carens diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  55% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  45% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Suspension
  45% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  40% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Driveshafts and joints
  27% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Exhaust and emissions
  22% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Kia Carens diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the 2005 Kia Carens diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2005 Kia Carens diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2005 Kia Carens diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?