2015 Kia Carens petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Kia Carens petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Kia Carens petrol than on all cars registered in 2015.

• Brake pads1.7× usual
  Kia Carens

  18.2% All 2015 cars

  10.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 2.2% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)10× usual
  Kia Carens

  5% All 2015 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 0.5% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Exhaust system2.7× usual
  Kia Carens

  6.3% All 2015 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.6% of all 2015 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.

• Brake lights2.8× usual
  Kia Carens

  5.6% All 2015 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 1.6% of all 2015 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 2015 Kia Carens petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Kia Carens petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  35% 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
  30% 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.

• Suspension
  18% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  14% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  9% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2015 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 pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2015 Kia Carens petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 10× as often on the 2015 Kia Carens petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2015 Kia Carens petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?