Kia Xceed MOT pass rate and common problems
90.9% of 24,533 Kia Xceed MOT tests pass.
The Xceed passes its MOT 90.9% of the time — well above the average across all Kia models, which sits at 80.1%.
The Kia Xceed passes its MOT 90.9% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Kia Xceed?
This is the average across every Kia Xceed 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 eases gradually with age, from 92.3% at 0–3 years to 90.0% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 92.3% | 9,540 | 25,036 miles |
| 3–6 years | 90.0% | 14,993 | 30,356 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Kia Xceed
The most common reason the Kia Xceed fails its MOT is visibility — present in 42.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not clear the windscreen effectively".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 42.6% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 37.7% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 12.9% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.3% | Too high |
| Suspension | 6.7% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.4% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.0% | Cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.0% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Road Wheels | 0.5% | Fixing missing |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.4% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
Buying a used Kia Xceed: what to check
These checks follow the Kia Xceed’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 Xceed comes between 0–3 years and 3–6 years old, from 92.3% to 90.0%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 87.0% down to 76.0%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 42.6% of failed Kia Xceed 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. Tyres
Recorded in 37.7% of failed Kia Xceed 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.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 12.9% of failed Kia Xceed MOTs.
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.
4. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 8.3% of failed Kia Xceed MOTs.
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 6.7% of failed Kia Xceed 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 Sorento — 76.9% pass rate
- Kia Stonic — 91.6% pass rate
- Kia Soul — 76.9% pass rate
- Kia Carens — 70.5% pass rate
- Kia Optima — 84.0% pass rate
- Kia Proceed — 84.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Kia Xceed?
- 90.9% of Kia Xceed MOT tests pass, based on 24,533 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Kia Xceed?
- The most common reason the Kia Xceed fails its MOT is visibility — present in 42.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not clear the windscreen effectively".
- What are the common problems with the Kia Xceed?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Kia Xceed are windscreen and wipers; tyres; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Kia Xceed?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: windscreen and wipers; tyres; brakes; 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 Xceed'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.