Kia Soul MOT pass rate and common problems
76.9% of 34,919 Kia Soul MOT tests pass.
At 76.9%, the Soul passes slightly less often than the average across all Kia models (80.1%).
At 76.9%, the Kia Soul passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Kia Soul?
This is the average across every Kia Soul in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Kia’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Kia Soul tested at 0–3 years pass 91.1% of the time, compared with just 65.0% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 91.1% | 1,239 | 23,486 miles |
| 3–6 years | 91.2% | 4,345 | 33,131 miles |
| 6–10 years | 85.3% | 12,524 | 54,287 miles |
| 10–15 years | 66.0% | 15,559 | 84,929 miles |
| 15+ years | 65.0% | 1,252 | 101,858 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Kia Soul
The most common reason the Kia Soul fails its MOT is brakes — present in 48.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 48.0% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 36.6% | Not working |
| Suspension | 27.1% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Steering | 25.5% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Tyres | 24.6% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 15.8% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.8% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.4% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Road Wheels | 1.1% | Fixing missing |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.9% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Kia Soul: what to check
These checks follow the Kia Soul’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Kia Soul comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 85.3% to 66.0%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 83.6% down to 72.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Brakes
Recorded in 48.0% of failed Kia Soul MOTs. 23.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 0.6% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 36.6% of failed Kia Soul MOTs. 22.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.1% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 27.1% of failed Kia Soul MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 13.9% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Steering
Recorded in 25.5% of failed Kia Soul MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 14.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on steering.
The steering should feel precise, without knocks or play, and the car should run straight. Turn to full lock both ways and listen for clunks.
5. Tyres
Recorded in 24.6% of failed Kia Soul MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Kia service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Kia models
- Kia Venga — 79.3% pass rate
- Kia Sorento — 76.9% pass rate
- Kia Stonic — 91.6% pass rate
- Kia Xceed — 90.9% pass rate
- Kia Carens — 70.5% pass rate
- Kia Optima — 84.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Kia Soul?
- 76.9% of Kia Soul MOT tests pass, based on 34,919 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Kia Soul?
- The most common reason the Kia Soul fails its MOT is brakes — present in 48.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
- What are the common problems with the Kia Soul?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Kia Soul are brakes; lights and electrics; suspension. 23.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 0.6% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Kia Soul?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: brakes; lights and electrics; suspension; steering; tyres. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Kia Soul's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Kia service history guide for how to check and keep one.