2010 Kia Soul MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 56.5% of Kia Souls first used in 2010 passed their MOT first time, against 59.3% for all cars first used in 2010. Across 8,637 Soul first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, steering and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Kia Souls first used in 2010 (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 2010 Kia Soul MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Souls first used in 2010 against all cars first used in 2010 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Soul figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2010 Soul | All cars first used 2010 | Soul first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 61.2% | 62.6% | 3,117 |
| 2022 | 57.6% | 61.7% | 3,145 |
| 2023 | 57.8% | 60.5% | 3,021 |
| 2024 | 55.8% | 59.6% | 2,904 |
| 2025 | 56.5% | 59.3% | 2,712 |
Common 2010 Kia Soul MOT failures
Share of the 3,738 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | 31.8% | 1,187 |
| Position lamp: not working | 18.4% | 689 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 8.4% | 315 |
| Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements | 8.1% | 303 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 6.9% | 259 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · opens our free car check — no sign-in needed.
Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Soul in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2010 Kia Soul 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.
- Steering. Worth feeling for play or knocks in the steering on the test drive, and asking when the tracking was last checked.
- 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 2010 Kia Soul MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2010 Souls, as a share of all 8,637 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 18.1% | 1,564 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 14.1% | 1,219 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 13.7% | 1,186 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 10.5% | 905 |
| Track rod end: ball joint has slight play | 9.5% | 820 |
Questions about the 2010 Kia Soul MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2010 Kia Soul?
In 2025, 56.5% of Souls first used in 2010 passed their MOT first time, against 59.3% for all cars first used in 2010. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2010 Soul most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 39.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), steering (37.6%) and brakes (30.6%). The single most common item was “Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play” (31.8%).
How often does a 2010 Kia Soul fail its MOT?
In 2025, 43.5% of first tests on Souls first used in 2010 did not pass first time: 36.6% failed, and a further 6.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 3,738 of 8,637 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2010 Kia Soul MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 18.1% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (14.1%), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (13.7%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (10.5%) and “Track rod end: ball joint has slight play” (9.5%).
Is a 2010 Kia Soul 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 61.2% in 2021 to 56.5% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2010
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2010 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2010 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2010 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2010 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics · 2010 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2010 Soul?
The numbers above cover every Soul first used in 2010 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.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · no sign-in needed.