2021 Kia XCeed — MOT failures & pass rate
15,236 MOT tests on the 2021 Kia XCeed are in this dataset, and 91.4% of them passed. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 7.2% of the time, so this is 1.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in visibility, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (4.9%) and tyres (4.3%) 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 brake pads — wipers alone was recorded 802 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 14.4% versus 6.9%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 8.5% of the time against 8.8% for hybrid.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 4.9% | 753 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.3% | 663 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.4% | 217 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 158 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.7% | 100 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 58 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 802 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 439 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 157 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 138 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 134 |
| 6 | Washers | 113 |
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 | 20.2% | 3,082 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.7% | 2,094 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.1% | 1,226 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.5% | 989 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.2% | 481 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 55 |
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 | 8,789 | 6.9% |
| 30-60k | 5,742 | 10.6% |
| 60-90k | 590 | 12.5% |
| 90-120k | 97 | 14.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 12,117 | 8.5% |
| Hybrid | 3,032 | 8.8% |
| Diesel | 87 | 8.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 255 | 7.4% |
| 2024 | 7,381 | 8.3% |
| 2025 | 7,588 | 8.9% |
What to check before buying a 2021 XCeed
On a 2021 XCeed, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (4.9% 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.
- Tyres (4.3% 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.
- Brakes (1.4% 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.
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 XCeeds pass their MOT?
91.4% of the 15,236 2021 Kia XCeed MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Kia XCeed?
Visibility, recorded in 4.9% of tests, followed by tyres (4.3%).
Does the 2021 XCeed get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.9% in the 0-30k band to 14.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,236 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.