2019 Kia Niro — MOT failures & pass rate
46,953 MOT tests on the 2019 Kia Niro are in this dataset, and 91.8% of them passed. Small SUVs of a similar age fail at 8.7%, so the 2019 Niro sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.3%) and lighting & signalling (3.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 1,381 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2019 Niro fails 7.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 7.9% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.8 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — hybrid fails 8.1% of the time against 9.6% for electric.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 8.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.3% | 2,491 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.1% | 1,472 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.1% | 1,456 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.1% | 533 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 112 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.2% | 93 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 1,381 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 1,057 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 719 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 507 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 327 |
| 6 | Washers | 303 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 22.4% | 10,526 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.0% | 2,800 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.5% | 2,608 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.7% | 1,266 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 560 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.9% | 419 |
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 | 17,019 | 7.1% |
| 30-60k | 17,374 | 9.5% |
| 60-90k | 6,505 | 8.2% |
| 90-120k | 2,934 | 7.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,652 | 7.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,467 | 7.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 43,644 | 8.1% |
| Electric | 3,293 | 9.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,744 | 5.1% |
| 2022 | 11,031 | 7.2% |
| 2023 | 11,351 | 8.3% |
| 2024 | 11,291 | 8.9% |
| 2025 | 11,536 | 8.9% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Niro
On a 2019 Niro, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.3% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (3.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (3.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2019 Kia Niros pass their MOT?
91.8% of the 46,953 2019 Kia Niro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Kia Niro?
Tyres, recorded in 5.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.1%).
Does the 2019 Niro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.1% in the 0-30k band to 7.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 46,953 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.