2012 Kia Ceed diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Kia Ceed diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Kia Ceed diesel than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Track rod ends2.9× usual
  Kia Ceed

  12.4% All 2012 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 2.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.5× usual
  Kia Ceed

  14.1% All 2012 cars

  9.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.9% of all 2012 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.

• Ball joint dust cover3× usual
  Kia Ceed

  7.3% All 2012 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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.

• Number plate lights1.7× usual
  Kia Ceed

  11.2% All 2012 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 2% of all 2012 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.

Common 2012 Kia Ceed diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Kia Ceed diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  49% 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.

• Tyres
  37% 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
  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.

• Lights and electrics
  32% 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
  10% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Steering
  6% 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 2012 Kia Ceed diesel

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.

• Slow stop-start and weak battery

  Cars with stop-start

  The stop-start system can be slow to respond, usually because the battery is low on charge.

  At the viewing: Watch the engine stop and restart at junctions, and ask how old the battery is.

  Source: Auto Express: used Kia Cee’d (Mk2, 2012-2018) review

• Daytime running lights failing

  All engines

  The LED daytime running lights sometimes fail. The fix is a new unit.

  At the viewing: Check both daytime running lights work.

  Source: Auto Express: used Kia Cee’d (Mk2, 2012-2018) review

• Flickering headlights

  All engines

  The headlights can flicker, usually in automatic mode.

  At the viewing: Try the lights in auto and manual mode.

  Source: Auto Express: used Kia Cee’d (Mk2, 2012-2018) review

• Misting windows

  All engines

  In cold weather, moisture forms inside the windows and the demisting is slow.

  At the viewing: Check how quickly the screen clears from cold.

  Source: Auto Express: used Kia Cee’d (Mk2, 2012-2018) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Kia Ceed 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 track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2012 Kia Ceed diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.5× as often on the 2012 Kia Ceed diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2012 Kia Ceed diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?