Reliability report
Kia Carens reliability and common faults
Based on 27,599 roadworthiness tests, led by the UK MOT. Each country is compared only with its own average for cars of the same age.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom · MOT
29.8%
fail rate · average 23.8%
much worse than average
13,547 MOT tests (DVSA)
🇳🇱 Netherlands · APK
56.5%
with defects · average 54.0%
worse than average
11,021 APK inspections (RDW)
🇱🇹 Lithuania · inspection
42.4%
first-time pass · average 52.3%
much worse than average
3,031 inspections
Testing regimes differ from country to country – don’t compare the figures between countries; compare each one only with its own average. MOT data: contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Weak spots
What goes wrong on the Kia Carens
How often each area fails compared with the average car of the same age (vertical line = average, 100%). Red – more often than average.
Seat belts and airbagsconfirmed in 2 countries
Brakesconfirmed in 2 countries
Wheelsconfirmed in 2 countries
Plates and identificationconfirmed in 2 countries
Lights and electricsconfirmed in 2 countries
Tyres
Visibility
Exhaust and emissions
Suspension
Steering
Body and structure
Driving controls
Most common test failures
- 1Number plate light doesn't work (properly) / missing
- 2Tyre pressure not at correct value
- 3Tyre insufficient tread
- 4Airbag / seatbelt system warning light indicates a fault
- 5Tyre(s) with tread depth of 1.6 to 2.5 mm
- 6Low beam incorrectly adjusted
- 7Sidelight not working (properly)
- 8Low beam / high beam doesn't work (properly)
- 9Turn signal color incorrect/not allowed
- 10Tyre damaged
- 11Driveshaft boot damaged and not sealing
- 12Mechanical parts of the brake system show wear
Results by vehicle age
| Age | 🇬🇧 MOT fail rate | 🇳🇱 APK defects |
|---|---|---|
| 6–8 years | 21.9% avg 15.3% | 41.5% avg 36.7% |
| 9–11 years | 28.3% avg 22.9% | 47.5% avg 44.4% |
| 12–15 years | 34.7% avg 30.3% | 52.7% avg 55.4% |
| 16–20 years | 42.7% avg 34.6% | 69.1% avg 64.7% |
🇱🇹 First-time pass rate in Lithuania – by year of manufacture
| Year | Carens | Average for year | Inspections |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 74.3% | 76.6% | 74 |
| 2016 | 80.7% | 72.8% | 93 |
| 2015 | 68.1% | 71.1% | 113 |
| 2014 | 63.8% | 68.0% | 116 |
| 2013 | 51.8% | 65.9% | 112 |
| 2010 | 51.4% | 57.3% | 35 |
| 2009 | 46.2% | 54.5% | 221 |
| 2008 | 39.4% | 52.4% | 348 |
| 2007 | 39.6% | 50.6% | 613 |
| 2006 | 35.7% | 48.7% | 280 |
| 2005 | 36.4% | 46.6% | 264 |
| 2004 | 32.4% | 44.5% | 318 |
| 2003 | 33.8% | 42.9% | 272 |
| 2002 | 29.9% | 42.0% | 147 |
Kia Carens – FAQs
How reliable is the Kia Carens?+
In the UK the Kia Carens fails 29.8% of MOT tests, against an average of 23.8% for cars of the same age – much worse than average. In the Netherlands, inspectors found defects at 56.5% of APK inspections (average there 54.0%) – worse than average. In Lithuania 42.4% pass their roadworthiness test first time (average for those years there 52.3%) – much worse than average.
What goes wrong most often on the Kia Carens?+
Compared with the average car of the same age, testers find faults more often in these areas: seat belts and airbags, brakes, wheels, lights and electrics.
What should I check when buying a used Kia Carens?+
The most common inspection failures: Number plate light doesn't work (properly) / missing; Tyre pressure not at correct value; Tyre insufficient tread; Airbag / seatbelt system warning light indicates a fault; Tyre(s) with tread depth of 1.6 to 2.5 mm. Before you buy, also check the free MOT history on GOV.UK and the car’s history by reg or VIN (mileage, damage, theft).
More Kia models
Sources: anonymised MOT test results (DVSA) – contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0; APK inspection defects (RDW, open data); Lithuanian roadworthiness test results (data.gov.lt). Initial tests only; retests are not counted. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons (licence).