2021 Kia Niro — MOT failures & pass rate
65,849 MOT tests on the 2021 Kia Niro are in this dataset, and 92.8% of them passed. That is effectively the same as small SUVs of a similar age (6.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.4%) and visibility (2.7%) 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 1,788 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 Niro fails 6.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 8.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.6 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — hybrid fails 7.1% of the time against 7.3% for electric.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 21.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 0.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 7.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.4% | 3,561 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.7% | 1,775 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 1,515 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.6% | 412 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.1% | 78 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.1% | 68 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 1,788 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 1,666 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,014 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 314 |
| 5 | Washers | 299 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 264 |
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 | 21.1% | 13,859 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.4% | 3,558 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.8% | 2,516 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 1,885 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 0.8% | 537 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.8% | 491 |
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 | 26,011 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 25,869 | 8.3% |
| 60-90k | 8,416 | 7.2% |
| 90-120k | 3,539 | 6.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,339 | 7.8% |
| 150k+ | 674 | 8.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | 38,748 | 7.3% |
| Hybrid | 27,088 | 7.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 60 | 0.0% |
| 2022 | 2,415 | 3.7% |
| 2023 | 4,983 | 4.4% |
| 2024 | 28,732 | 7.6% |
| 2025 | 29,659 | 7.7% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Niro
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.4% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.4% 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.
- Visibility (2.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.3% 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 2021 Kia Niros pass their MOT?
92.8% of the 65,849 2021 Kia Niro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Kia Niro?
Tyres, recorded in 5.4% of tests, followed by visibility (2.7%).
Does the 2021 Niro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 8.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 65,849 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.