2016 Kia Ceed diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Kia Ceed diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Kia Ceed diesel than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.4× usual
  Kia Ceed

  12% All 2016 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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.

• Braking performance2.5× usual
  Kia Ceed

  5.8% All 2016 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.8% of all 2016 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 2016 Kia Ceed diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Kia Ceed diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• 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
  26% 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.

• Suspension
  17% 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
  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
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2016 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 2016 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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2016 Kia Ceed diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2016 Kia Ceed diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?