Used car guide · 2017–2026

Kia Stonic common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Kia Stonic, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 75,689 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

75,689MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
60,094on the UK register
1known fault 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).

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017

What usually goes wrong with a Kia Stonic?

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.

  • Particulate filter warning (diesel)

    Cars registered 2017–2025 · Diesel

    A DPF light that stays on can mean a blocked filter or a faulty sensor. No major issues are reported otherwise.

    At the viewing: Make sure no DPF warning shows.

    Source: What Car?: used Kia Stonic (2017 on) reliability

Common Kia Stonic MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018 and 2019.

    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.

  • Brake pads

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021 and 2022.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

Diesel

  • Braking performance

    up to 3.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018 and 2019.

    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.

Kia Stonic MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2017 Kia Stonic did best (85% passed first time, 5 points above all 2017 cars) and the 2022 did worst (91%, 2 points above all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202393%92% +1329 (small sample)
202291%89% +25,666
202191%87% +410,092
202090%87% +313,178
201987%85% +224,084
201886%83% +320,200
201785%80% +52,140

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Kia Stonic

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

  1. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the Kia Stonic as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the Kia Stonic as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Kia Stonic?

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 2023–2025, 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