2003 Kia Carens — MOT failures & pass rate
645 MOT tests on the 2003 Kia Carens are in this dataset, and 62.8% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail 30.1% of the time, so this is 7.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (21.4%) and brakes (20.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), component mounting prescribed areas and joints — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 102 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 33.0% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 51.0% once past 120-150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 37.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.4% | 138 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.6% | 133 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.8% | 115 |
| 4 | Suspension | 14.7% | 95 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.4% | 54 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.5% | 42 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 102 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 85 |
| 3 | Joints | 71 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 62 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 61 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 47 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 37.5% | 242 |
| 2 | Tyres | 32.3% | 208 |
| 3 | Suspension | 31.6% | 204 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.8% | 173 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 23.1% | 149 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 21.2% | 137 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 185 | 33.0% |
| 60-90k | 243 | 39.9% |
| 90-120k | 142 | 34.5% |
| 120-150k | 51 | 51.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 326 | 37.4% |
| Petrol | 319 | 37.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 240 | 37.5% |
| 2022 | 175 | 40.6% |
| 2023 | 105 | 33.3% |
| 2024 | 71 | 33.8% |
| 2025 | 54 | 37.0% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Carens
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 21.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (21.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (20.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Body, structure & corrosion (17.8% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2003 Kia Carenss pass their MOT?
62.8% of the 645 2003 Kia Carens MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 37.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Kia Carens?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.4% of tests, followed by brakes (20.6%).
Does the 2003 Carens get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 33.0% in the 30-60k band to 51.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 645 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.