Used car guide

2023 Kia Ceed: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2023 Kia Ceeds, from 289 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 289 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

289MOT tests in 2025
88%pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%)
9,400typical miles a year
16%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2023 Kia Ceed MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    16% 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
    7% 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
    6% 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
    6% 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
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    1% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Blocked particulate filter (diesel)
    Diesel

    Diesels used mainly for short journeys can block their particulate filter and run badly.

    At the viewing: Ask what journeys it does, and watch for a DPF warning.

    Source: What Car?: used Kia Ceed (2018 on) reliability

  • Sat nav and infotainment faults
    All engines

    The infotainment system was the only real area of concern in What Car?'s survey (4% of cars), and repairs could take a week or more.

    At the viewing: Use the screen and sat nav.

    Source: What Car?: used Kia Ceed (2018 on) reliability

Looking at a Kia Ceed?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

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%
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 2023 Kia Ceeds registered in 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score