Kia Soul: what fails at MOT
33,000 MOT tests on the Kia Soul in 2024, counted. 27.4% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
27.4% of Kia Soul tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 27.3%, so the Soul is about average for its age.
It fails most often on brakes (6.6% of tests), lights and electrics (6.4% of tests) and steering (5.6% of tests). It fails on brakes and steering 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 | 1,640 | 10.2% | 10.9% | 21,500 14,900 to 31,200 |
| 2020 | 1,314 | 11.4% | 11.5% | 28,200 19,200 to 38,000 |
| 2019 | 454 | 11.0% | 13.4% | 26,000 18,000 to 38,200 |
| 2018 | 2,640 | 13.1% | 15.6% | 34,300 23,800 to 46,800 |
| 2017 | 2,309 | 14.4% | 18.2% | 40,600 29,200 to 55,400 |
| 2016 | 2,957 | 16.0% | 21.3% | 49,000 35,700 to 64,700 |
| 2015 | 3,583 | 19.0% | 24.4% | 57,700 41,100 to 73,900 |
| 2014 | 3,285 | 25.1% | 27.7% | 64,300 48,300 to 84,900 |
| 2013 | 1,667 | 35.6% | 30.6% | 67,100 50,100 to 90,000 |
| 2012 | 1,986 | 38.9% | 33.4% | 76,000 56,400 to 96,000 |
| 2011 | 4,342 | 40.1% | 36.1% | 85,700 65,700 to 107,900 |
| 2010 | 3,787 | 43.5% | 38.6% | 90,700 70,200 to 113,700 |
| 2009 | 2,716 | 43.3% | 39.8% | 96,200 74,500 to 119,900 |
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 Soul tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Soul | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes More than most | 6.6% | 4.4% |
| Lights and electrics | 6.4% | 7.4% |
| Steering More than most | 5.6% | 1.3% |
| Suspension | 5.0% | 6.2% |
| Tyres | 4.6% | 4.4% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.4% | 3.0% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 1.0% | 2.1% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 1.0% | 2.0% |
The parts that fail most
- Track rod end5.1%
- Tyre2.8%
- Side light2.3%
- Brake test2.1%
- Brake pads1.9%
- Washers1.8%
- Tyre tread1.8%
- Ball joint1.7%
- Headlamp aim1.7%
- Wipers1.5%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.7%
- Side light: not working2.3%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.7%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.7%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.5%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.5%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.1%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.0%
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 edge12.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.7%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.4%
- Brake pads: wearing thin6.2%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material5.0%
- Track rod end: ball joint has slight play2.9%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.6%
- Footbrake: binding but not excessively2.3%
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
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
Check a Kia Soul's own MOT record
Looking at a Soul? 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.