2012 Kia Soul MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 58.9% of Kia Souls first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. Across 4,796 Soul first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, steering and lamps and electrical equipment.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Kia Souls first used in 2012 (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 2012 Kia Soul MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Souls first used in 2012 against all cars first used in 2012 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Soul figure was 4.6 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2012 Soul | All cars first used 2012 | Soul first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 67.1% | 68.8% | 1,664 |
| 2022 | 62.3% | 67.4% | 1,657 |
| 2023 | 62.3% | 65.6% | 1,642 |
| 2024 | 59.4% | 64.3% | 1,592 |
| 2025 | 58.9% | 63.5% | 1,562 |
Common 2012 Kia Soul MOT failures
Share of the 1,907 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 | 32.2% | 615 |
| Ball joint dust cover: no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 8.5% | 162 |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | 8.0% | 153 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 8.0% | 152 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 7.4% | 142 |
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 2012 Kia Soul before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Steering. Worth feeling for play or knocks in the steering on the test drive, and asking when the tracking was last checked.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
Common 2012 Kia Soul MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2012 Souls, as a share of all 4,796 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 18.3% | 880 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 12.0% | 576 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 11.4% | 548 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 11.1% | 532 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 9.5% | 456 |
Questions about the 2012 Kia Soul MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2012 Kia Soul?
In 2025, 58.9% of Souls first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2012 Soul most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 37.1% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), steering (36.7%) and lamps and electrical equipment (32.8%). The single most common item was “Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play” (32.2%).
How often does a 2012 Kia Soul fail its MOT?
In 2025, 41.1% of first tests on Souls first used in 2012 did not pass first time: 36.3% failed, and a further 4.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,907 of 4,796 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2012 Kia Soul MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 18.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (12.0%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (11.4%), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (11.1%) and “Brake pads: wearing thin” (9.5%).
Is a 2012 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 67.1% in 2021 to 58.9% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2012
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2012 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2012 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2012 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2012 Soul?
The numbers above cover every Soul first used in 2012 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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