2020 Kia Stonic — MOT failures & pass rate
14,691 MOT tests on the 2020 Kia Stonic are in this dataset, and 93.3% of them passed. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 7.9% of the time, so this is 1.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in visibility, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (4.2%) and brakes (2.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, brake pads and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 639 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.8% in the 0-30k band and 13.2% in the 60-90k band, a 8.4-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 13.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 4.5% of tests failed in 2022 against 8.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 4.2% | 623 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.2% | 321 |
| 3 | Tyres | 1.8% | 266 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 227 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.6% | 82 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 41 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 639 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 343 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 165 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 131 |
| 5 | Washers | 98 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 57 |
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 | 13.9% | 2,048 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.3% | 1,955 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.2% | 916 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 429 |
| 5 | Steering | 1.4% | 203 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.0% | 143 |
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 | 10,070 | 4.8% |
| 30-60k | 4,300 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 303 | 13.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 14,139 | 6.6% |
| Hybrid | 347 | 6.9% |
| Diesel | 205 | 14.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 177 | 4.5% |
| 2023 | 4,814 | 4.7% |
| 2024 | 4,798 | 6.9% |
| 2025 | 4,897 | 8.5% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Stonic
On a 2020 Stonic, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (4.2% 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.
- Brakes (2.2% 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.
- Tyres (1.8% 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.
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 2020 Kia Stonics pass their MOT?
93.3% of the 14,691 2020 Kia Stonic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Kia Stonic?
Visibility, recorded in 4.2% of tests, followed by brakes (2.2%).
Does the 2020 Stonic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.8% in the 0-30k band to 13.2% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,691 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.