2006 Kia Magentis — MOT failures & pass rate
986 MOT tests on the 2006 Kia Magentis are in this dataset, and 70.4% of them passed. That is 2.4 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.8%) and brakes (13.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, service brake performance and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 76 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 37.5% once past 150k — 6.2× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 41.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 136 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.7% | 135 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.9% | 117 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.2% | 71 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.0% | 59 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.4% | 53 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 76 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 58 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 49 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 48 |
| 5 | Wipers | 47 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 47 |
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 | 41.3% | 407 |
| 2 | Suspension | 40.4% | 398 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.9% | 305 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.8% | 215 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.5% | 163 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.3% | 151 |
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 | 33 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 202 | 24.8% |
| 60-90k | 412 | 31.3% |
| 90-120k | 249 | 32.9% |
| 120-150k | 50 | 28.0% |
| 150k+ | 40 | 37.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 787 | 28.8% |
| Diesel | 199 | 32.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 306 | 30.1% |
| 2022 | 241 | 29.0% |
| 2023 | 199 | 29.6% |
| 2024 | 139 | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 101 | 28.7% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Magentis
On a 2006 Magentis, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.7% 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 (11.9% 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 2006 Kia Magentiss pass their MOT?
70.4% of the 986 2006 Kia Magentis MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Kia Magentis?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by brakes (13.7%).
Does the 2006 Magentis get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 37.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 986 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.