2020 Kia Xceed diesel: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the diesel Kia Xceed first registered in 2020 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 2,891 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Kia Xceed diesel?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Kia Xceed diesel than on all cars registered in 2020.
- Suspension arm bushes and joints9.2× usualKia Xceed10.1% All 2020 cars1.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.2% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
- Wipers2× usualKia Xceed6.4% All 2020 cars3.2%
Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £15–£60 our estimateAt the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.
Common 2020 Kia Xceed diesel MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2020 Kia Xceed diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres29% 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.
- Brakes16% 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.
- Suspension10% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors8% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Lights and electrics2% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Seats and seatbelts2% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
Known faults on the 2020 Kia Xceed diesel
Carbuyer reports no specific faults and rated the pre-facelift XCeed top in its Driver Power model survey, and Auto Express says it has had no recalls. Kia's seven-year warranty may still apply.
Source: Carbuyer: Kia XCeed reliability
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Kia Xceed diesel
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 9.2× as often on the 2020 Kia Xceed diesel as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2020 Kia Xceed diesel as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Kia Xceed?
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 Xceed compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 972 | Tyres 15% |
| 2022 | 8,781 | Tyres 22% |
| 2021 | 13,105 | Tyres 24% |
| 2019 | 2,745 | Tyres 28% |
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 Xceed cars first registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score