Used car guide

2008 Kia Magentis: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Kia Magentis first registered in 2008: we looked at the 192 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 192 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

192MOTs of 2008 cars, done in 2023–2025
59%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
4,600typical miles a year
5.4×the usual rate for suspension arm

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Kia Magentis?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Kia Magentis than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Suspension arm5.4× usual
    Kia Magentis
    16.1% All 2008 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.4% of all 2008 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 performance2.4× usual
    Kia Magentis
    16.1% All 2008 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 2.7% of all 2008 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 2008 Kia Magentis MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Kia Magentis MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    54% 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.

  • Brakes
    40% 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
    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.

  • Tyres
    27% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    14% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Steering
    7% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Kia Magentis

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? (Flagged at MOT 5.4× as often on the 2008 Kia Magentis as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2008 Kia Magentis 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%
2007232Suspension 53%
2006333Brakes 52%
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 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score