Used car guide

2005 Kia Carens: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Kia Carenss, from 105 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 105 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

105MOT tests in 2025
40%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
3,800typical miles a year
52%had brakes flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2005 Kia Carens MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    52% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    50% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    49% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    39% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    24% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    23% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Kia Carens?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20181,646Tyres 33%
20171,862Tyres 31%
20161,779Brakes 35%
20152,079Brakes 39%
20142,089Tyres 37%
20131,310Brakes 39%
2011278Suspension 54%
2010281Suspension 52%
2009854Suspension 58%
2008711Suspension 59%
2007292Suspension 64%
2006183Brakes 58%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Kia Carenss registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score