Used car guide

2012 Kia Ceed: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Kia Ceed first registered in 2012: we looked at the 11,026 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

11,026MOTs of 2012 cars, done in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
7,800typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for track rod ends

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Kia Ceed?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Kia Ceed than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Track rod ends2.6× usual
    Kia Ceed
    12.5% All 2012 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 2.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.5× usual
    Kia Ceed
    7.2% All 2012 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.2% of all 2012 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.

  • Suspension arm2.5× usual
    Kia Ceed
    6.4% All 2012 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.1× usual
    Kia Ceed
    6.6% All 2012 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.2% of all 2012 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.5% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars. Exhaust system: 1.6% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars.

Common 2012 Kia Ceed MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Kia Ceed MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    52% 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.

  • Tyres
    36% 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
    34% 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
    33% 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
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Steering
    8% 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 2012 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 2012 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 track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2012 Kia Ceed as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2012 Kia Ceed as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2012 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%
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 done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Kia Ceed cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score