Used car guide

2012 Kia Ceed petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Kia Ceed first registered in 2012 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 7,582 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,582MOTs of 2012 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
60%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%)
6,400typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for track rod ends

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

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

  • Track rod ends2.9× usual
    Kia Ceed
    12.5% All 2012 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.4%, 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.5× usual
    Kia Ceed
    6% All 2012 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.7× usual
    Kia Ceed
    6.4% All 2012 cars
    3.8%

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

  • Link ball joint covers2.2× usual
    Kia Ceed
    4.3% All 2012 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, 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.

  • Side repeaters2.5× usual
    Kia Ceed
    3% All 2012 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.4% here, against 5% of all 2012 cars.

Common 2012 Kia Ceed petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

  • Suspension
    40% 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
    32% 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
    30% 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
    27% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    6% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Known faults on the 2012 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 2012 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 track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2012 Kia Ceed petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2012 Kia Ceed petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2012 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%
201121,281Suspension 50%
201023,851Suspension 53%
200920,913Suspension 55%
200813,584Suspension 58%
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 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score