Used car guide

2005 Kia Cerato: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Kia Ceratos, from 232 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 232 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

232MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
3,800typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Kia Ceratos than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.4× usual
    Kia Cerato
    35.8% All 2005 cars
    14.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 2.4% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.9× usual
    Kia Cerato
    17.2% All 2005 cars
    6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 2.7% of all 2005 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3.2× usual
    Kia Cerato
    13.4% All 2005 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.5% of all 2005 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.

  • Number plates2.1× usual
    Kia Cerato
    14.2% All 2005 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.6% of all 2005 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.

By area

The share of 2005 Kia Cerato MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    58% 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
    53% 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
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    34% 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.

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

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

  • Rust and bodywork
    12% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006222Brakes 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Kia Ceratos registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score