Used car guide · 2007–2026

Kia Ceed common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Kia Ceed, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 363,036 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Kia Ceed

Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Kia Ceed as a whole.

20registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Petrolmost common fuel (also diesel)
What to check on a 2026 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007

What usually goes wrong with a Kia Ceed?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Blocked particulate filter (diesel)

    Cars registered 2019–2025 · Diesel

    Diesels used mainly for short journeys can block their particulate filter and run badly.

    At the viewing: Ask what journeys it does, and watch for a DPF warning.

    Source: What Car?: used Kia Ceed (2018 on) reliability

  • Steering rack faults (early cars)

    Cars registered 2007–2011 · 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

    Cars registered 2007–2011 · 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

  • Slow stop-start and weak battery

    Cars registered 2012–2018 · 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

    Cars registered 2012–2018 · 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

    Cars registered 2012–2018 · 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

    Cars registered 2012–2018 · 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

  • Sat nav and infotainment faults

    Cars registered 2019–2025 · All engines

    The infotainment system was the only real area of concern in What Car?'s survey (4% of cars), and repairs could take a week or more.

    At the viewing: Use the screen and sat nav.

    Source: What Car?: used Kia Ceed (2018 on) reliability

  • Stiff gearchange from cold

    Cars registered 2007–2011 · 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

    Cars registered 2007–2011 · 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

Common Kia Ceed MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 12.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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) joints

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    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.

  • Brake discs

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Wipers

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

Diesel

  • Braking performance

    up to 3.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 10× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 4.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 4.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Ball joint

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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.

Hybrid

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 11.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021.

    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 discs

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Wipers

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

Kia Ceed MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2018 Kia Ceed did best (82% passed first time, 1 point below all 2018 cars) and the 2011 did worst (51%, 11 points below all 2011 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202389%92% -3340 (small sample)
202287%89% -27,233
202184%87% -310,372
202084%87% -312,876
201983%85% -229,678
201882%83% -127,591
201779%80% -125,465
201676%77% -128,702
201573%74% -133,439
201466%70% -433,040
201362%67% -532,696
201256%64% -834,722
201151%62% -1121,281
201052%60% -823,851
200952%59% -720,913
200849%57% -813,584
200749%57% -87,253

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Kia Ceed

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Kia Ceed as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 12.2× as often on the Kia Ceed as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the Kia Ceed 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score