Used car guide

2021 Kia Soul: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Kia Soul first registered in 2021: we looked at the 2,237 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,237MOTs of 2021 cars, done in 2023–2025
90%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
7,600typical miles a year
29%had tyres flagged

Common 2021 Kia Soul MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 Kia Soul MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    29% 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
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Brakes
    5% 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Lights and electrics
    2% 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
    1% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Kia Soul

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

  1. 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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
2022914Tyres 25%
20202,568Tyres 29%
20191,002Tyres 21%
20185,811Tyres 25%
20175,017Tyres 28%
20166,328Tyres 29%
20157,710Tyres 30%
20147,807Brakes 31%
20133,862Suspension 38%
20124,785Suspension 43%
20119,907Suspension 43%
20108,597Suspension 45%
20096,264Suspension 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 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score