Kia Stonic MOT pass rate and common problems
91.6% of 37,341 Kia Stonic MOT tests pass.
The Stonic passes its MOT 91.6% of the time — well above the average across all Kia models, which sits at 80.1%.
The Kia Stonic passes its MOT 91.6% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Kia Stonic?
This is the average across every Kia Stonic 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 declines noticeably with age, from 95.2% at 0–3 years to 86.8% at 6–10 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 95.2% | 6,890 | 20,436 miles |
| 3–6 years | 91.5% | 26,237 | 32,357 miles |
| 6–10 years | 86.8% | 4,214 | 46,056 miles |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Kia Stonic
The most common reason the Kia Stonic fails its MOT is visibility — present in 34.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not clear the windscreen effectively".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 34.2% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Brakes | 27.8% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 22.0% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 18.8% | Too low |
| Suspension | 3.9% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.7% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Steering | 2.0% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.1% | Cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.7% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.6% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
Buying a used Kia Stonic: what to check
These checks follow the Kia Stonic’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 Stonic comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 91.5% to 86.8%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 83.5% down to 74.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 34.2% of failed Kia Stonic MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 27.8% of failed Kia Stonic MOTs. 5.6% of tests at 6–10 years failed on brakes, against 1.1% 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.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 22.0% of failed Kia Stonic MOTs. 4.5% of tests at 6–10 years failed on tyres, against 1.6% at 0–3 years.
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.
4. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 18.8% of failed Kia Stonic MOTs. 3.5% of tests at 6–10 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.4% 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.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 3.9% of failed Kia Stonic MOTs.
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.
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 Niro — 91.4% pass rate
- Kia Venga — 79.3% pass rate
- Kia Sorento — 76.9% pass rate
- Kia Soul — 76.9% pass rate
- Kia Xceed — 90.9% pass rate
- Kia Carens — 70.5% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Kia Stonic?
- 91.6% of Kia Stonic MOT tests pass, based on 37,341 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Kia Stonic?
- The most common reason the Kia Stonic fails its MOT is visibility — present in 34.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not clear the windscreen effectively".
- What are the common problems with the Kia Stonic?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Kia Stonic are windscreen and wipers; brakes; tyres.
- What should I check when buying a used Kia Stonic?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: windscreen and wipers; brakes; tyres; lights and electrics; suspension. 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 Stonic'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.