2008 Kia Ceed — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 35,591 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Kia Ceed, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 70.7% was below the average for small family cars of a similar age (73.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.2% in the 150k+ group versus 15.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.6% | 7,338 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.8% | 4,895 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.2% | 4,685 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.9% | 2,456 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.6% | 2,334 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.6% | 1,622 |
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 | 3,025 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 2,893 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 2,758 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 2,706 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 2,064 |
| 6 | Washers | 1,850 |
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 | 44.1% | 15,704 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.2% | 11,453 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.7% | 10,579 |
| 4 | Other defects | 18.7% | 6,656 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 5,936 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.8% | 5,626 |
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 | 381 | 15.2% |
| 30-60k | 3,240 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 9,456 | 27.0% |
| 90-120k | 11,938 | 30.6% |
| 120-150k | 7,335 | 32.7% |
| 150k+ | 3,232 | 34.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 19,909 | 28.3% |
| Diesel | 15,676 | 30.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,934 | 28.4% |
| 2022 | 8,177 | 28.9% |
| 2023 | 7,284 | 29.5% |
| 2024 | 6,192 | 30.3% |
| 2025 | 5,004 | 30.0% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Ceed
Before buying a 2008 Kia Ceed, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 20.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (20.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.8% 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.
- Brakes (13.2% 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.
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 2008 Kia Ceeds pass their MOT?
70.7% of the 35,591 2008 Kia Ceed MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Kia Ceed?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.6% of tests, followed by suspension (13.8%).
Does the 2008 Ceed get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.2% in the 0-30k band to 34.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 35,591 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.