Used car guide

2013 Kia Carens: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Kia Carenss, from 1,310 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,310MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
8,200typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Kia Carenss than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Brake discs1.7× usual
    Kia Carens
    23.7% All 2013 cars
    13.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Brake pads1.9× usual
    Kia Carens
    18.6% All 2013 cars
    9.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.3% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Number plate lights2.1× usual
    Kia Carens
    12.9% All 2013 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.8% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.2× usual
    Kia Carens
    7.1% All 2013 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Brake lights2.2× usual
    Kia Carens
    8% All 2013 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.8%, against 2.8% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

By area

The share of 2013 Kia Carens MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    39% 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.

  • Tyres
    35% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    31% 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
    31% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Steering
    9% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

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%
2009854Suspension 58%
2008711Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Kia Carenss registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score