What are the most common problems with a 2017 Kia Soul diesel?

The biggest MOT weak spot is braking performance: flagged on 5.1% of tests, 3× the rate for all 2017 cars.

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2017 Kia Soul diesel?

Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2017 Kia Soul diesel as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2017 Kia Soul diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Kia Soul first registered in 2017 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 2,591 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,591MOTs of 2017 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025

85%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 80%)

6,000typical miles a year

3×the usual rate for braking performance

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Kia Soul diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Kia Soul diesel than on all cars registered in 2017.

Braking performance3× usual

Kia Soul
5.1% All 2017 cars
1.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.5% of all 2017 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 2017 Kia Soul diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 Kia Soul diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Tyres

28% 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

23% 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.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

5% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

3% 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.
Steering

2% 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 2017 Kia Soul diesel

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

Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2017 Kia Soul diesel as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Kia Soul?

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 Soul compared

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2024	–	Too new for MOT data
2023	–	Too new for MOT data
2022	914	Tyres 25%
2021	2,237	Tyres 29%
2020	2,568	Tyres 29%
2019	1,002	Tyres 21%
2018	5,811	Tyres 25%
2016	6,328	Tyres 29%
2015	7,710	Tyres 30%
2014	7,807	Brakes 31%
2013	3,862	Suspension 38%
2012	4,785	Suspension 43%
2011	9,907	Suspension 43%
2010	8,597	Suspension 45%
2009	6,264	Suspension 48%

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 Soul cars first registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score