Used car guide

2006 Kia Magentis petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Kia Magentis first registered in 2006 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 279 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 279 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

279MOTs of 2006 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
55%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 56%)
4,400typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Kia Magentis petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Kia Magentis petrol than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Engine oil leaks2× usual
    Kia Magentis
    24.4% All 2006 cars
    12.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Braking performance2.2× usual
    Kia Magentis
    15.1% All 2006 cars
    6.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2.9% of all 2006 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 2006 Kia Magentis petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Kia Magentis petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    51% 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
    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
    36% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    35% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    25% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    15% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 Kia Magentis 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 engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2006 Kia Magentis petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2006 Kia Magentis petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Kia Magentis?

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 Magentis compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2010253Suspension 58%
2009335Suspension 52%
2008192Suspension 54%
2007232Suspension 53%
2005191Suspension 38%
2004105Suspension 35%
2003–Too few tests
2002–Too few tests

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 Magentis cars first registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score