2018 Kia Carens diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Kia Carens diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Kia Carens diesel than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Brake pads1.7× usual
  Kia Carens

  18.9% All 2018 cars

  10.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 2% of all 2018 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.

• Airbag warning light11× usual
  Kia Carens

  2.2% All 2018 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.2% of all 2018 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.

• Braking performance2.8× usual
  Kia Carens

  3.3% All 2018 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.4% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Headlights2.8× usual
  Kia Carens

  2.8% All 2018 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.9% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Common 2018 Kia Carens diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Kia Carens diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  33% 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.

• Brakes
  28% 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
  12% 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 mirrors
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  4% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

• Suspension
  4% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 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 brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2018 Kia Carens diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the airbag warning light? (Flagged at MOT 11× as often on the 2018 Kia Carens diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2018 Kia Carens diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?