2006 Kia Cerato — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,813 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Kia Cerato, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 68.3% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 36.4% in the 150k+ group versus 27.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 17.9% | 505 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.4% | 460 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 398 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 225 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.6% | 213 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.6% | 158 |
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 | 258 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 192 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 188 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 182 |
| 5 | Wipers | 165 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 143 |
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 | 46.7% | 1,313 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.2% | 963 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.8% | 867 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.7% | 497 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.4% | 460 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.0% | 337 |
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 | 58 | 27.6% |
| 30-60k | 572 | 24.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,045 | 31.8% |
| 90-120k | 694 | 35.6% |
| 120-150k | 344 | 34.6% |
| 150k+ | 99 | 36.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,274 | 31.4% |
| Diesel | 539 | 32.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 905 | 31.9% |
| 2022 | 698 | 31.2% |
| 2023 | 515 | 31.1% |
| 2024 | 392 | 32.6% |
| 2025 | 303 | 31.7% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Cerato
Before buying a 2006 Kia Cerato, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 17.9% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (17.9% 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 (16.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (14.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2006 Kia Ceratos pass their MOT?
68.3% of the 2,813 2006 Kia Cerato MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Kia Cerato?
Brakes, recorded in 17.9% of tests, followed by suspension (16.4%).
Does the 2006 Cerato get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.6% in the 0-30k band to 36.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,813 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.