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KIA CARENS Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 498 MOT tests from 42 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every KIA CARENS has the same fault.

KIA CARENS's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 508/999. The score was calculated from the average of every KIA CARENS that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the KIA CARENS.

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KIA CARENS side viewKIA CARENS (example)
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Check a Kia Carens before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Kia Carens side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
N/AN/A652/999Good93,049 miles868 vehicles
N/AN/A607/999Good93,150 miles1,256 vehicles
N/AN/A566/999Above average99,790 miles1,362 vehicles
N/AN/A430/999Average73,949 miles529 vehicles
N/AN/A410/999Average91,359 miles647 vehicles
N/AN/A383/999Fair90,902 miles804 vehicles

How reliable is the KIA CARENS?

Based on 498 MOT tests from 42 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

42

MOT tests

498

Pass rate

78.5%

Median mileage

86,821 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every KIA CARENS has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 683 out of 999.

Common KIA CARENS MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 78 advisory comments and 3 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 32 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 24 advisory comments and 3 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 15 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 9 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 9 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS A SERIOUS FLUID LEAK (5.3.2 (B))

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore MOT data includes 7 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: FRONT REGISTRATION PLATE DETERIORATED BUT NOT LIKELY TO BE MISREAD (0.1 (B))

Track rod wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 7 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record play or damage at a track rod or track rod end.

What to inspect

Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TRACK ROD END BALL JOINT HAS SLIGHT PLAY (2.1.3 (B) (I))

KIA CARENS MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
201853680.6%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20161110580%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
201555580%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
201467084.3%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used KIA CARENS

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

  • Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

  • Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

  • Track rod wear. Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

Buying a KIA CARENS?

Common problems tell you what can affect KIA CARENSs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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