2005 Kia Cerato — MOT failures & pass rate
2,971 MOT tests on the 2005 Kia Cerato are in this dataset, and 68.1% of them passed. That is 4.4 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.6%. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: brakes, recorded in 19.5% of tests against 15.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, rbt (sp) and service brake performance — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 270 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 24.1% in the 0-30k band and 36.7% in the 150k+ band, a 12.6-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 47.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.9% in 2021 to 28.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 19.5% | 580 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 446 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.8% | 440 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.2% | 214 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 211 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.9% | 175 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 270 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 242 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 217 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 201 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 178 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 159 |
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 | 47.8% | 1,419 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.0% | 979 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.8% | 857 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.9% | 622 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.4% | 487 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.5% | 400 |
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 | 87 | 24.1% |
| 30-60k | 680 | 27.7% |
| 60-90k | 971 | 29.1% |
| 90-120k | 765 | 37.5% |
| 120-150k | 328 | 36.3% |
| 150k+ | 139 | 36.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,529 | 31.5% |
| Diesel | 442 | 34.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 956 | 31.9% |
| 2022 | 723 | 32.4% |
| 2023 | 577 | 33.3% |
| 2024 | 419 | 32.2% |
| 2025 | 296 | 28.0% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Cerato
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 19.5% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (19.5% 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 (15.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.8% 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.
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 2005 Kia Ceratos pass their MOT?
68.1% of the 2,971 2005 Kia Cerato MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Kia Cerato?
Brakes, recorded in 19.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (15.0%).
Does the 2005 Cerato get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.1% in the 0-30k band to 36.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,971 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.