Used car guide · 2009–2024

Kia Soul common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Kia Soul, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 24,811 MOTs done during 2025), and what to check before you buy one.

24,811MOTs done in 2025, all years of this model
24,992on the UK register
3known faults across all years
2017best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009

What usually goes wrong with a Kia Soul?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Steering recall

    Cars registered 2014–2016 · All engines

    Souls built between January 2014 and September 2015 were recalled for a steering fault that could cause loss of control. Odd noises from behind the dashboard can mean it hasn't been done.

    At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg and listen for noises from behind the dash when steering.

    Source: What Car?: Kia Soul (2014-2019) reliability

  • Seatbelt pre-tensioner recall

    Cars registered 2011–2012 · All engines

    Cars built between August 2011 and March 2012 were recalled because the seatbelt pre-tensioner could malfunction and cause injury in a crash.

    At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.

    Source: What Car?: Kia Soul (2009-2014) reliability

  • Scratchy, brittle plastics

    Cars registered 2009–2013 · All engines

    Interior plastics scratch or snap, especially around the back seats.

    At the viewing: Look over the rear trim for cracks and broken clips.

    Source: What Car?: Kia Soul (2009-2014) reliability

Common Kia Soul MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2025.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 4.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    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.

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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 joints

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2015 and 2017.

    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.

  • Side repeaters

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

  • Steering rack

    up to 5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009 and 2010.

    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.

Kia Soul MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2017 Kia Soul did best (85% passed first time, 7 points above all 2017 cars) and the 2009 did worst (52%, 6 points below all 2009 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202292%89% +3879
202189%87% +21,123
202085%86% -1872
201986%84% +2338 (small sample)
201885%81% +41,966
201785%78% +71,694
201678%75% +32,117
201576%72% +42,555
201472%69% +32,593
201362%66% -41,284
201259%63% -41,565
201157%61% -43,189
201056%59% -32,719
200952%58% -61,917

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Kia Soul

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

  1. Has the steering recall been done?
  2. Has the seatbelt recall been done?
  3. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 4.3× as often on the Kia Soul as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the Kia Soul as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the Kia Soul as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Kia Soul?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score