Used car guide

2008 Kia Ceed: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Kia Ceed first registered in 2008: we looked at the 3,700 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,700MOTs of 2008 cars, done in 2025
48%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
6,200typical miles a year
3.7×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Kia Ceed?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Kia Ceed than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3.7× usual
    Kia Ceed
    15.6% All 2008 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 1.6% of all 2008 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.

  • Ball joint2.5× usual
    Kia Ceed
    16.5% All 2008 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.3%, against 3.2% of all 2008 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.

  • Braking performance2.3× usual
    Kia Ceed
    14.8% All 2008 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.5% of all 2008 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.8× usual
    Kia Ceed
    11.1% All 2008 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2008 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
    Kia Ceed
    19.4% All 2008 cars
    11.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 2.3% of all 2008 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.8% here, against 9.6% of all 2008 cars. Shock absorbers: 2.5% here, against 8% of all 2008 cars.

Common 2008 Kia Ceed MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Kia Ceed MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    62% 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
    46% 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
    43% 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
    35% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    16% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Steering
    14% 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.

Known faults on the 2008 Kia Ceed

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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Kia Ceed

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

  1. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2008 Kia Ceed as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2008 Kia Ceed as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2008 Kia Ceed as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

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

Every year of the Kia Ceed compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023289Tyres 16%
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%
20071,997Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Kia Ceed cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score