Used car guide

2008 Kia Ceed petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Kia Ceed first registered in 2008 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 7,914 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,914MOTs of 2008 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
51%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
6,000typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Kia Ceed petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Kia Ceed petrol than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3.3× usual
    Kia Ceed
    14% All 2008 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 1.6% of all 2008 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.

  • Exhaust system2.1× usual
    Kia Ceed
    17.9% All 2008 cars
    8.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.4% of all 2008 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.

  • Braking performance2.3× usual
    Kia Ceed
    15.4% All 2008 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 2.7% of all 2008 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.

  • Ball joint2.2× usual
    Kia Ceed
    13.9% All 2008 cars
    6.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.6%, against 3.2% of all 2008 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.8× usual
    Kia Ceed
    10.2% All 2008 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2008 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.6% here, against 9.3% of all 2008 cars. Engine oil leaks: 4.5% here, against 11.3% of all 2008 cars.

Common 2008 Kia Ceed petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Kia Ceed petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    54% 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.

  • Brakes
    42% 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
    42% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    34% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    20% 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.

  • Steering
    13% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Known faults on the 2008 Kia Ceed petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Kia Ceed 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 anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2008 Kia Ceed petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2008 Kia Ceed petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2008 Kia Ceed petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Kia Ceed?

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 Ceed compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023340Tyres 15%
20227,233Tyres 23%
202110,372Tyres 27%
202012,876Tyres 28%
201929,678Tyres 32%
201827,591Tyres 31%
201725,465Tyres 32%
201628,702Tyres 31%
201533,439Tyres 31%
201433,040Brakes 32%
201332,696Suspension 40%
201234,722Suspension 47%
201121,281Suspension 50%
201023,851Suspension 53%
200920,913Suspension 55%
20077,253Suspension 57%

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 Ceed cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score