2023 Kia XCeed — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,032 MOT tests, the 2023 Kia XCeed recorded a 95.3% pass rate. Small SUVs of a similar age fail at 4.6%, so the 2023 XCeed sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.8%) and visibility (2.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, wipers and registration plate lamp(s) — tread depth alone was recorded 25 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2023 XCeed fails 4.8% of the time in the 0-30k band and 3.0% at 60-90k, a spread of only 1.8 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 11.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 0.0% of tests failed in 2023 against 4.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.8% | 39 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.2% | 23 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 16 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.4% | 4 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 0.4% | 4 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.1% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 25 |
| 2 | Wipers | 16 |
| 3 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 10 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 9 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 8 |
| 6 | Washers | 7 |
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 | 11.1% | 115 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.3% | 34 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.2% | 23 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.8% | 19 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.9% | 9 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.2% | 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 | 521 | 4.8% |
| 30-60k | 401 | 5.0% |
| 60-90k | 99 | 3.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 702 | 4.8% |
| Petrol | 330 | 4.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 30 | 0.0% |
| 2024 | 304 | 6.3% |
| 2025 | 698 | 4.3% |
What to check before buying a 2023 XCeed
On a 2023 XCeed, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.8% 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.
- Visibility (2.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.6% 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 2023 Kia XCeeds pass their MOT?
95.3% of the 1,032 2023 Kia XCeed MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Kia XCeed?
Tyres, recorded in 3.8% of tests, followed by visibility (2.2%).
Does the 2023 XCeed get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.8% in the 0-30k band to 3.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,032 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.