2011 Kia Ceed petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Kia Ceed petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Kia Ceed petrol than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Ball joint dust cover3.6× usual
  Kia Ceed

  9.7% All 2011 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.2% of all 2011 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.6× usual
  Kia Ceed

  10.7% All 2011 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
  Kia Ceed

  16.5% All 2011 cars

  9.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 2.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Brake lights2.5× usual
  Kia Ceed

  10% All 2011 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.2%, against 3.3% of all 2011 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× usual
  Kia Ceed

  11% All 2011 cars

  5.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 2.1% of all 2011 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.

Common 2011 Kia Ceed petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Kia Ceed petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  45% 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
  38% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  36% 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
  36% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  12% 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 leaks
  11% 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.

Known faults on the 2011 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.

• Steering rack faults (early cars)

  Early cars

  Early cars can have faulty steering racks.

  At the viewing: Feel for notchiness or knocks through the steering.

  Source: What Car?: used Kia Cee'd (2007-2012) reliability

• Rear suspension clonks

  All engines

  Some cars develop clonks from the rear suspension.

  At the viewing: Drive over bumps and listen.

  Source: What Car?: used Kia Cee'd (2007-2012) reliability

• Stiff gearchange from cold

  Manual gearbox

  Some are reluctant to change gear when cold, which can mean the gearbox oil needs changing.

  At the viewing: Change through the gears from cold.

  Source: What Car?: used Kia Cee'd (2007-2012) reliability

• Fast-wearing original tyres and freezing stereo

  All engines

  The original economy tyres can wear out in under 20,000 miles, and the stereo can freeze in hot weather.

  At the viewing: Check the tyre tread and try the stereo.

  Source: What Car?: used Kia Cee'd (2007-2012) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 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 ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2011 Kia Ceed petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2011 Kia Ceed petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2011 Kia Ceed petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?