2007 Kia Ceed — MOT failures & pass rate
19,524 MOT tests on the 2007 Kia Ceed are in this dataset, and 70.1% of them passed. Against small family cars of a similar age (26.9% fail rate), the 2007 Ceed comes out 2.9pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 20.8% of all tests — 5.6 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and stop lamp — position lamp alone was recorded 1,642 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.9% in the 0-30k band and 35.9% in the 150k+ band, a 22.1-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.5pp more often than petrol ones (31.9% vs 28.4%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 43.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.8% | 4,063 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.2% | 2,963 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.1% | 2,367 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.9% | 1,354 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.8% | 1,328 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.3% | 1,043 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 1,642 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,641 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 1,460 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 1,368 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 1,163 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 1,078 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 43.0% | 8,386 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.0% | 6,245 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.1% | 6,065 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.5% | 3,610 |
| 5 | Other defects | 18.0% | 3,520 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.3% | 2,990 |
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 | 252 | 13.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,719 | 21.0% |
| 60-90k | 4,855 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 6,288 | 31.0% |
| 120-150k | 4,065 | 33.4% |
| 150k+ | 2,340 | 35.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 11,313 | 28.4% |
| Diesel | 8,211 | 31.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,098 | 28.9% |
| 2022 | 4,514 | 29.5% |
| 2023 | 3,945 | 30.3% |
| 2024 | 3,310 | 31.4% |
| 2025 | 2,657 | 29.8% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Ceed
On a 2007 Ceed, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.2% 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.
- Suspension (12.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2007 Kia Ceeds pass their MOT?
70.1% of the 19,524 2007 Kia Ceed MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Kia Ceed?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.8% of tests, followed by brakes (15.2%).
Does the 2007 Ceed get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.9% in the 0-30k band to 35.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 19,524 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.