2013 Kia Carens petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Kia Carens petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Kia Carens petrol than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Brake lights3.1× usual
  Kia Carens

  10.7% All 2013 cars

  3.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.8%, against 2.7% of all 2013 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.

• Exhaust system2.4× usual
  Kia Carens

  9.8% All 2013 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.2% of all 2013 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.

• Number plate lights1.9× usual
  Kia Carens

  10.7% All 2013 cars

  5.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Number plates2.5× usual
  Kia Carens

  6.8% All 2013 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.3% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Steering rack inner joints2.8× usual
  Kia Carens

  5% All 2013 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2013 Kia Carens petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Kia Carens petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  38% 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.

• Tyres
  32% 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 electrics
  31% 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
  25% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  12% 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 an engine warning light.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  7% 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 2013 Kia Carens petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2013 Kia Carens petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2013 Kia Carens petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2013 Kia Carens petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?