2018 Kia Carens MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 72.9% of Kia Carens cars first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 4,905 Carens first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, tyres and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Kia Carens cars first used in 2018 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2018 Kia Carens MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Carens cars first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Carens figure was 8.0 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 Carens | All cars first used 2018 | Carens first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 80.7% | 87.6% | 1,681 |
| 2022 | 79.2% | 86.3% | 1,687 |
| 2023 | 77.8% | 84.2% | 1,632 |
| 2024 | 73.8% | 82.5% | 1,627 |
| 2025 | 72.9% | 80.9% | 1,646 |
Common 2018 Kia Carens MOT failures
Share of the 1,234 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 17.4% | 215 |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | 11.0% | 136 |
| Stop lamp: not working | 9.1% | 112 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 8.9% | 110 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 7.5% | 93 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2018 Kia Carens before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2018 Kia Carens MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 Carens cars, as a share of all 4,905 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 16.3% | 801 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 16.2% | 797 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 12.2% | 599 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 9.5% | 465 |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | 5.2% | 256 |
Questions about the 2018 Kia Carens MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 Kia Carens?
In 2025, 72.9% of Carens cars first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 Carens most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 33.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), tyres (32.3%) and brakes (26.4%). The single most common item was “Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick” (17.4%).
How often does a 2018 Kia Carens fail its MOT?
In 2025, 27.1% of first tests on Carens cars first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 20.5% failed, and a further 6.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,234 of 4,905 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 Kia Carens MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 16.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (16.2%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (12.2%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (9.5%) and “Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt” (5.2%).
Is a 2018 Kia Carens reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 80.7% in 2021 to 72.9% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2018 Carens?
The numbers above cover every Carens first used in 2018 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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