Kia Niro: what fails at MOT
77,000 MOT tests on the Kia Niro in 2024, counted. 12.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
12.1% of Kia Niro tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 12.5%, so the Niro is about average for its age.
It fails most often on tyres (4.2% of tests), wipers, washers and windscreen (2.2% of tests) and lights and electrics (1.8% of tests). It fails on tyres more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 30,642 | 10.7% | 10.9% | 28,800 19,000 to 45,200 |
| 2020 | 22,609 | 11.9% | 11.5% | 33,200 22,200 to 48,600 |
| 2019 | 10,191 | 13.5% | 13.4% | 42,500 29,100 to 65,900 |
| 2018 | 7,364 | 13.9% | 15.6% | 53,900 36,200 to 87,500 |
| 2017 | 4,487 | 16.2% | 18.2% | 55,300 40,300 to 75,700 |
| 2016 | 1,236 | 15.5% | 21.3% | 60,200 44,000 to 79,800 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Kia Niro tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Niro | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres More than most | 4.2% | 3.1% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.2% | 1.9% |
| Lights and electrics | 1.8% | 2.0% |
| Brakes | 0.8% | 1.4% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.0%
- Wipers1.8%
- Tyre tread1.3%
- Headlamp aim0.7%
- Washers0.4%
- Number plate light0.4%
- Footbrake0.3%
- Headlamp0.3%
- Brake pads0.2%
- Brake test0.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.8%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.3%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.2%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.4%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps0.3%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.2%
- Tyre: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.2%
- Tyre pressure warning system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative0.2%
- Headlamp aim: too high0.2%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge10.9%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.0%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened2.7%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.6%
- Tyre: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
- Nail in tyre1.3%
- Brake pads: wearing thin0.7%
- Items removed from driver's view prior to test0.5%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Kia Niro's own MOT record
Looking at a Niro? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.