Used car guide

2008 Kia Ceed: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Kia Ceeds, from 3,700 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,700MOT tests in 2025
48%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
6,200typical miles a year
3.7×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Kia Ceeds than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3.7× usual
    Kia Ceed
    15.6% All 2008 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 1.6% of all 2008 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.

  • Ball joint2.5× usual
    Kia Ceed
    16.5% All 2008 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.3%, against 3.2% of all 2008 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.

  • Braking performance2.3× usual
    Kia Ceed
    14.8% All 2008 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.5% of all 2008 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.8× usual
    Kia Ceed
    11.1% All 2008 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2008 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
    Kia Ceed
    19.4% All 2008 cars
    11.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 2.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.8% here, against 9.6% of all 2008 cars. Shock absorbers: 2.5% here, against 8% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Kia Ceed MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    62% 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
    46% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    43% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    16% 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.

  • Steering
    14% 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 Ceed?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20226,674Tyres 23%
20215,211Tyres 29%
20204,288Tyres 31%
20199,967Tyres 33%
20189,180Tyres 31%
20178,545Tyres 32%
20169,556Tyres 31%
201511,108Tyres 31%
201410,855Suspension 37%
201310,611Suspension 45%
201211,026Suspension 52%
20116,570Suspension 54%
20107,035Suspension 56%
20096,077Suspension 58%
20071,997Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Kia Ceeds registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score