Used car guide

2009 Kia Ceed: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Kia Ceeds, from 6,077 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

6,077MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
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 2009 Kia Ceeds than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3.7× usual
    Kia Ceed
    15.4% All 2009 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 1.6% of all 2009 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
    Kia Ceed
    19.2% All 2009 cars
    11.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 2.3% of all 2009 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.5× usual
    Kia Ceed
    8.7% All 2009 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
    Kia Ceed
    11.4% All 2009 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 2.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Ball joint1.9× usual
    Kia Ceed
    12.7% All 2009 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 3.4% of all 2009 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.9% here, against 7.5% of all 2009 cars. Shock absorbers: 2% here, against 7.5% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Kia Ceed MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    58% 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
    41% 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
    40% 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
    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.

  • Steering
    15% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    13% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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%
20083,700Suspension 62%
20071,997Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Kia Ceeds registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score