2021 Kia Stonic — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 312 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Kia Stonic, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, brakes and tyres. Its pass rate of 92.0% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 5.1% | 16 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.5% | 11 |
| 3 | Tyres | 2.2% | 7 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.3% | 1 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.3% | 1 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 12 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 5 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 4 |
| 4 | Washers | 4 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 3 |
| 6 | Flexible brake hoses | 3 |
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 | 11.2% | 35 |
| 2 | Tyres | 10.6% | 33 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.1% | 16 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.2% | 7 |
| 5 | Steering | 1.3% | 4 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.6% | 2 |
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 | 230 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 75 | 10.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 145 | 4.1% |
| 2025 | 161 | 11.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Stonic
Before buying a 2021 Kia Stonic, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 5.1% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (5.1% 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.
- Brakes (3.5% 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 (2.2% 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 2021 Kia Stonics pass their MOT?
92.0% of the 312 2021 Kia Stonic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Kia Stonic?
Visibility, recorded in 5.1% of tests, followed by brakes (3.5%).
Does the 2021 Stonic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 10.7% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 312 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.