2004 Kia Cerato — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 837 MOT tests, the 2004 Kia Cerato recorded a 66.5% pass rate. That is 5.7 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Brakes dominates the failure mix at 20.8% of all tests — 4.4 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), position lamp and headlamp — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 81 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 26.2% in the 30-60k band and 36.6% in the 150k+ band, a 10.4-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 48.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 32.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 35.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 20.8% | 174 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 137 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.0% | 117 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 61 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.8% | 57 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.7% | 56 |
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) | 81 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 67 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 67 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 63 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 63 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 58 |
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 | 48.4% | 405 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.4% | 288 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.7% | 265 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 26.3% | 220 |
| 5 | Other defects | 18.4% | 154 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.0% | 126 |
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 | 149 | 26.2% |
| 60-90k | 333 | 31.2% |
| 90-120k | 216 | 38.9% |
| 120-150k | 86 | 40.7% |
| 150k+ | 41 | 36.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 270 | 32.6% |
| 2022 | 204 | 32.8% |
| 2023 | 165 | 33.9% |
| 2024 | 118 | 34.8% |
| 2025 | 80 | 35.0% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Cerato
On a 2004 Cerato, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (20.8% 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 (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.0% 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 2004 Kia Ceratos pass their MOT?
66.5% of the 837 2004 Kia Cerato MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Kia Cerato?
Brakes, recorded in 20.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (16.4%).
Does the 2004 Cerato get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.2% in the 30-60k band to 36.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 837 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.