2004 Kia Carens — MOT failures & pass rate
1,021 MOT tests on the 2004 Kia Carens are in this dataset, and 62.3% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (30.1% fail rate), the 2004 Carens comes out 7.6pp worse. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Brakes dominates the failure mix at 25.2% of all tests — 3.3 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), component mounting prescribed areas and joints — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 210 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 25.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 40.3% once past 120-150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 41.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 25.2% | 257 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 21.8% | 223 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.0% | 184 |
| 4 | Suspension | 16.2% | 165 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.8% | 100 |
| 6 | Tyres | 8.5% | 87 |
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) | 210 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 140 |
| 3 | Joints | 122 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 107 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 106 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 74 |
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 | 41.5% | 424 |
| 2 | Tyres | 33.0% | 337 |
| 3 | Suspension | 31.1% | 318 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.1% | 266 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.6% | 200 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 16.4% | 168 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 31 | 25.8% |
| 30-60k | 217 | 36.4% |
| 60-90k | 435 | 36.5% |
| 90-120k | 252 | 40.1% |
| 120-150k | 72 | 40.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 667 | 38.2% |
| Petrol | 354 | 36.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 389 | 39.9% |
| 2022 | 229 | 37.5% |
| 2023 | 176 | 35.8% |
| 2024 | 129 | 32.6% |
| 2025 | 98 | 39.8% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Carens
On a 2004 Carens, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 25.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (25.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (21.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (18.0% 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 2004 Kia Carenss pass their MOT?
62.3% of the 1,021 2004 Kia Carens MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 37.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Kia Carens?
Brakes, recorded in 25.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (21.8%).
Does the 2004 Carens get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.8% in the 0-30k band to 40.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,021 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.