2011 Kia Soul MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 57.0% of Kia Souls first used in 2011 passed their MOT first time, against 61.2% for all cars first used in 2011. Across 9,931 Soul first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, steering and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Kia Souls first used in 2011 (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 2011 Kia Soul MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Souls first used in 2011 against all cars first used in 2011 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Soul figure was 4.2 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2011 Soul | All cars first used 2011 | Soul first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 61.6% | 65.8% | 3,597 |
| 2022 | 60.0% | 64.5% | 3,508 |
| 2023 | 58.5% | 63.0% | 3,449 |
| 2024 | 57.5% | 61.8% | 3,312 |
| 2025 | 57.0% | 61.2% | 3,170 |
Common 2011 Kia Soul MOT failures
Share of the 4,200 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 | 31.9% | 1,340 |
| Position lamp: not working | 16.9% | 708 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 7.7% | 324 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 6.9% | 291 |
| Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements | 6.7% | 281 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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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 2011 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.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
Common 2011 Kia Soul MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2011 Souls, as a share of all 9,931 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 17.6% | 1,748 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 13.5% | 1,344 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 12.2% | 1,212 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 10.5% | 1,038 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 9.3% | 919 |
Questions about the 2011 Kia Soul MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2011 Kia Soul?
In 2025, 57.0% of Souls first used in 2011 passed their MOT first time, against 61.2% for all cars first used in 2011. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2011 Soul most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 37.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), steering (36.9%) and suspension (31.1%). The single most common item was “Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play” (31.9%).
How often does a 2011 Kia Soul fail its MOT?
In 2025, 43.0% of first tests on Souls first used in 2011 did not pass first time: 35.3% failed, and a further 7.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 4,200 of 9,931 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2011 Kia Soul MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 17.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (13.5%), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (12.2%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (10.5%) and “Brake pads: wearing thin” (9.3%).
Is a 2011 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 61.6% in 2021 to 57.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2011
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2011 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2011 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2011 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2011 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2011 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2011 Soul?
The numbers above cover every Soul first used in 2011 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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