MOT fail rates by first-use year
2007 Kia Ceed MOT fail rate and common faults
How Kia Ceed cars first used in 2007 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2025, against all cars of the same age. From 10,681 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 18 years, tested in 2025
What stands out
- In 2025, at 18 years old, Kia Ceed cars first used in 2007 failed 48.8% of MOTs (2,002 tests), 5.5 points above the 43.3% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2025, as these cars went from 15 to 18 years old, the fail rate moved from 49.4% to 48.8%.
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the Kia Ceed at 18 years, is steering track rod end: ball joint play, at 6.4 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 2.0).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 15 years | 49.4% | 3,344 | 41.6% | +7.8 pts |
| 2023 | 16 years | 51.7% | 2,920 | 42.6% | +9.1 pts |
| 2024 | 17 years | 51.7% | 2,415 | 43.1% | +8.6 pts |
| 2025 | 18 years | 48.8% | 2,002 | 43.3% | +5.5 pts |
Most common faults at 18 years
These figures cover all Kia Ceed MOTs at 18 years: cars first used in 2007, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=2,003). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.
MOT fail items
| Fail item | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Side/position light not working Wear | 9.6 | 5.6 |
| Brake light not working Wear | 8.9 | 4.0 |
| Steering track rod end: ball joint play | 6.4 | 2.0 |
| Handbrake too weak | 5.7 | 2.8 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Wear | 5.6 | 4.0 |
| Anti-roll bar link worn | 5.1 | 1.5 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Wear | 4.6 | 2.3 |
| Suspension ball joint worn | 4.2 | 2.4 |
| Tyre tread below 1.6 mm Wear | 4.1 | 2.9 |
| Brake pads under 1.5 mm Wear | 3.4 | 1.8 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=2,003). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear | 21.6 | 17.4 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 18.0 | 7.7 |
| Suspension pin or bush worn, without excessive movement | 15.9 | 8.5 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 15.6 | 11.1 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | 12.2 | 5.3 |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources Wear | 12.1 | 5.8 |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened | 11.6 | 2.9 |
| Anti-roll bar link ball joint: slight play | 10.7 | 2.7 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 10.2 | 9.8 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | 9.8 | 5.0 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=2,003). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 18 years
These figures cover all Kia Ceed MOTs at 18 years: cars first used in 2007, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=2,003). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Fuel | Share of tests | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars, same fuel | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 64.1% | 46.3% | 1,284 | 43.2% | 97,731 miles |
Car tax rules for a 2007 car
- Cars first registered from 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 are taxed by CO2 emissions band, from band A (the lowest emissions) to band M. The band is set by the CO2 figure on the V5C logbook.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Petrol cars first registered from 2006 usually meet Euro 4, the petrol standard for the London ULEZ, so they usually do not pay the daily charge.
- Diesel cars first registered before September 2015 usually do not meet Euro 6, so a 2007 diesel usually pays the ULEZ daily charge. A few models met Euro 6 early.
- The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.
The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker
Other years of the Kia Ceed
Other Kia models first used in 2007
| Model | Age at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Picanto (2007) | 18 years in 2025 | 48.9% | 2,251 | 43.3% |
| Kia Sportage (2007) | 17 years in 2024 | 48.9% | 1,314 | 43.1% |
| Kia Sorento (2007) | 17 years in 2024 | 46.3% | 1,195 | 43.1% |
| Kia Rio (2007) | 17 years in 2024 | 50.9% | 1,175 | 43.1% |
More on the Kia Ceed
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 2007 Kia Ceed cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.
Source
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources
Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.