2006 Kia Cerato — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 Kia Cerato passed 68.3% of its 2,813 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 27.2% of the time, so this is 4.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (17.9%) and suspension (16.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, service brake performance and component mounting prescribed areas — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 258 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 27.6% in the 0-30k band and 36.4% in the 150k+ band, a 8.8-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 31.4% of the time against 32.8% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 46.7% of tests without failing them.
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
On a 2006 Cerato, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.