2010 Kia Magentis — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 686 MOT tests, the 2010 Kia Magentis recorded a 71.6% pass rate. That is 4.4 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.0%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 15.9% of tests against 11.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are suspension arm, rigid brake pipes and headlamp — suspension arm alone was recorded 50 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.6% in the 30-60k band and 34.2% in the 150k+ band, a 12.5-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 41.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 26.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.9% | 109 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.5% | 79 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.6% | 73 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.1% | 49 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.7% | 32 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.9% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension arm | 50 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 49 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 48 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 36 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 32 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 26 |
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 | 41.7% | 286 |
| 2 | Brakes | 37.5% | 257 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.5% | 209 |
| 4 | Other defects | 13.3% | 91 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.9% | 54 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 6.9% | 47 |
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 | 97 | 21.6% |
| 60-90k | 183 | 26.2% |
| 90-120k | 196 | 32.1% |
| 120-150k | 117 | 29.1% |
| 150k+ | 82 | 34.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 187 | 26.2% |
| 2022 | 167 | 32.3% |
| 2023 | 144 | 28.5% |
| 2024 | 104 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 84 | 29.8% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Magentis
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 15.9% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (15.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (11.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.6% 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 2010 Kia Magentiss pass their MOT?
71.6% of the 686 2010 Kia Magentis MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Kia Magentis?
Suspension, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.5%).
Does the 2010 Magentis get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.6% in the 30-60k band to 34.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 686 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.