Used car guide

2019 Kia Stonic: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2019 Kia Stonics, from 8,207 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

8,207MOT tests in 2025
86%pass first time (all 2019 cars: 84%)
6,400typical miles a year
6.3×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2019 Kia Stonics than on all cars registered in 2019.

  • Ball joint dust cover6.3× usual
    Kia Stonic
    2.5% All 2019 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.2% of all 2019 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 joints6.7× usual
    Kia Stonic
    2% All 2019 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2019 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.

  • Braking performance2.2× usual
    Kia Stonic
    2.4% All 2019 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.3% of all 2019 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.

By area

The share of 2019 Kia Stonic MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    23% 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
    23% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20225,382Tyres 15%
20215,107Tyres 19%
20204,408Tyres 21%
20186,795Tyres 26%
2017722Tyres 28%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2019 Kia Stonics registered in 2019. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score