2016 Kia Carens: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Kia Carens?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Kia Carens than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Link ball joint covers7.1× usual
  Kia Carens

  5% All 2016 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 0.4% of all 2016 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.

• Brake lights3.2× usual
  Kia Carens

  5.8% All 2016 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 1.4% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Braking performance2.2× usual
  Kia Carens

  5.6% All 2016 cars

  2.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.8% of all 2016 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.

Common 2016 Kia Carens MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Kia Carens MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  35% 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
  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.

• Suspension
  23% 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
  15% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% 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
  5% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Kia Carens

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 7.1× as often on the 2016 Kia Carens as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2016 Kia Carens as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2016 Kia Carens as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?