Used car guide

2014 Kia Carens: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 Kia Carenss, from 2,089 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,089MOT tests in 2025
65%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)
8,100typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for brake lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 Kia Carenss than on all cars registered in 2014.

  • Brake lights2.7× usual
    Kia Carens
    7.7% All 2014 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.6%, against 2.2% of all 2014 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.

  • Braking performance2× usual
    Kia Carens
    8.1% All 2014 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.5% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Link ball joint covers2.6× usual
    Kia Carens
    3.7% All 2014 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.8% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Steering rack inner joints2.2× usual
    Kia Carens
    3.3% All 2014 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2014 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.

By area

The share of 2014 Kia Carens MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    37% 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.

  • Brakes
    37% 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.

  • Suspension
    30% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    24% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    6% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

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%
20131,310Brakes 39%
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 2014 Kia Carenss registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score