Used car guide · 2004–2007

Kia Cerato common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Kia Cerato, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 2,129 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2007 Kia Cerato

Too few Kia Cerato cars first registered in 2007 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. 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 Cerato as a whole.

36on the UK register at the end of 2025
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 2007 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

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).

2007200620052004

What usually goes wrong with a Kia Cerato?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Kia Cerato in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Kia Cerato 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

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005 and 2006.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005 and 2006.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Number plates

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005 and 2006.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

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

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006.

    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.

  • Brake pads

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

Kia Cerato MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2005 Kia Cerato did best (52% passed first time, 5 points below all 2005 cars) and the 2006 did worst (49%, 7 points below all 2006 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
200649%56% -7899
200552%57% -5971
200446%57% -11259 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Kia Cerato

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

  1. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Kia Cerato as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the Kia Cerato as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the Kia Cerato as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Kia Cerato?

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