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KIA SOUL Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 1,277 MOT tests from 103 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 SOUL has the same fault.

KIA SOUL's have a very good reliability rating of 616/999. The score was calculated from the average of every KIA SOUL 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 SOUL.

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Check a Kia Soul 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 Soul 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/A773/999Very good63,397 miles585 vehicles
N/AN/A699/999Good68,322 miles1,265 vehicles
N/AN/A649/999Good70,851 miles1,153 vehicles
N/AN/A585/999Above average73,383 miles1,039 vehicles
N/AN/A500/999Above average71,314 miles1,117 vehicles
N/AN/A491/999Average72,880 miles952 vehicles

How reliable is the KIA SOUL?

Based on 1,277 MOT tests from 103 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

103

MOT tests

1,277

Pass rate

79.8%

Median mileage

79,594 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every KIA SOUL has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 687 out of 999.

Common KIA SOUL 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 255 advisory comments and 5 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 pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 51 advisory comments and 7 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))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 53 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: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 38 advisory comments and 10 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 coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Track rod wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 47 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 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 EXCESSIVE PLAY (2.1.3 (B) (I))

Oil leak

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 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 16 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))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 11 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 corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE EXCESSIVELY CORRODED (1.1.11 (C))

KIA SOUL 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
2018118384.3%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20161312085%Tyre wear, Corrosion
201587987.3%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20141214983.2%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
201368477.4%Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
20121116579.4%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20111016874.4%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20101424679.3%Tyre wear, Track rod wear
2009612969.8%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues

What to check when buying a used KIA SOUL

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

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

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

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

  • 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.

  • Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Buying a KIA SOUL?

Common problems tell you what can affect KIA SOULs 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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