2008 Kia Magentis — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Kia Magentis passed 72.7% of its 494 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.2 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.6%) and suspension (11.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and service brake performance — headlamp aim alone was recorded 41 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 30.0% versus 20.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 38.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 23.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 67 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.3% | 56 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.3% | 46 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.3% | 31 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.5% | 27 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.3% | 26 |
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 | 41 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 39 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 28 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 27 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 26 |
| 6 | Wipers | 25 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 38.3% | 189 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.6% | 161 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.7% | 127 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 84 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.8% | 78 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.3% | 51 |
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 | 127 | 20.5% |
| 60-90k | 202 | 30.7% |
| 90-120k | 104 | 29.8% |
| 120-150k | 40 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 460 | 26.5% |
| Diesel | 34 | 38.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 123 | 23.6% |
| 2022 | 111 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 93 | 24.7% |
| 2024 | 96 | 33.3% |
| 2025 | 71 | 29.6% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Magentis
On a 2008 Magentis, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.3% 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.
- Brakes (9.3% 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.
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 2008 Kia Magentiss pass their MOT?
72.7% of the 494 2008 Kia Magentis MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Kia Magentis?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.6% of tests, followed by suspension (11.3%).
Does the 2008 Magentis get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.5% in the 30-60k band to 30.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 494 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.