2011 Kia Soul — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 22,559 MOT tests analysed for the 2011 Kia Soul, the most common recorded failure areas were steering, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 74.1% was below the average for cars of a similar age (78.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.1% in the 150k+ group versus 11.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steering | 11.3% | 2,545 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.2% | 2,524 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.1% | 2,051 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.2% | 1,847 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.3% | 1,197 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.8% | 1,075 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 2,932 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 1,256 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 792 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 745 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 649 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 648 |
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 | 32.0% | 7,213 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.9% | 6,072 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.3% | 3,672 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.5% | 2,144 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.4% | 2,116 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.6% | 1,950 |
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 | 491 | 11.6% |
| 30-60k | 4,496 | 19.7% |
| 60-90k | 8,825 | 25.9% |
| 90-120k | 6,056 | 29.3% |
| 120-150k | 2,126 | 30.5% |
| 150k+ | 555 | 32.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 18,144 | 26.0% |
| Petrol | 4,415 | 25.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,668 | 23.8% |
| 2022 | 4,633 | 25.2% |
| 2023 | 4,598 | 26.5% |
| 2024 | 4,445 | 27.3% |
| 2025 | 4,215 | 26.7% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Soul
Before buying a 2011 Kia Soul, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Steering accounted for 11.3% of tests for this year.
- Steering (11.3% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Lighting & signalling (11.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.1% 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 2011 Kia Souls pass their MOT?
74.1% of the 22,559 2011 Kia Soul MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Kia Soul?
Steering, recorded in 11.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.2%).
Does the 2011 Soul get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.6% in the 0-30k band to 32.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,559 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.