2012 Kia Carens diesel: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the diesel Kia Carens first registered in 2012 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 243 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 243 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Kia Carens diesel?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Kia Carens diesel than on all cars registered in 2012.
- Ball joint2.5× usualKia Carens12.8% All 2012 cars5.2%
Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 2.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Common 2012 Kia Carens diesel MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2012 Kia Carens diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Brakes41% 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.
- Suspension37% 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.
- Tyres36% 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.
- Lights and electrics30% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors13% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Oil and fluid leaks9% of testsRough price £80–£600
At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Kia Carens diesel
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2012 Kia Carens diesel as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Kia Carens?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Kia Carens compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 269 | Tyres 32% |
| 2018 | 4,844 | Tyres 33% |
| 2017 | 5,533 | Tyres 32% |
| 2016 | 5,331 | Brakes 35% |
| 2015 | 6,361 | Brakes 38% |
| 2014 | 6,477 | Brakes 38% |
| 2013 | 4,112 | Brakes 40% |
| 2011 | 1,008 | Suspension 49% |
| 2010 | 969 | Suspension 47% |
| 2009 | 3,208 | Suspension 54% |
| 2008 | 2,865 | Suspension 58% |
| 2007 | 1,285 | Suspension 60% |
| 2006 | 809 | Brakes 54% |
| 2005 | 434 | Brakes 55% |
| 2004 | 294 | Brakes 55% |
| 2003 | 177 | Brakes 51% |
| 2002 | – | Too few tests |
| 2001 | – | Too few tests |
| 2000 | – | Too few tests |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Kia Carens cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score