Model reliability

Kia Carens reliability

The Kia Carens fails its MOT more often than most cars 6 to 10 years old: 30% of 9,535 tests failed in 2023, against 24.4% on average.

Up to 5 years old

22.1% failed their MOT

Worse than most

From 1,731 MOT tests of Kia Carenss this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 94% more oftenTyre condition6.2% vs 3.2%Fix about £90

Fails 2× as oftenMechanical brake components4.4% vs 1.8%

Fails 3× as oftenHeadlamps2.3% vs 0.7%Fix about £30

Fails 73% more oftenWashers1.9% vs 1.1%

Advised 2× as oftenMechanical brake components25% vs 12.1%

Advised 2× as oftenTyre condition17% vs 8.4%Fix about £90

6 to 10 years old

30% failed their MOT

Worse than most

From 9,535 MOT tests of Kia Carenss this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 2× as oftenMechanical brake components6.6% vs 2.8%

Fails 74% more oftenTyre condition6.1% vs 3.5%Fix about £90

Fails 2× as oftenBrake performance4.3% vs 1.9%

Fails 3× as oftenStop lamp4.1% vs 1.5%Fix about £30

Advised 67% more oftenMechanical brake components27.7% vs 16.6%

Advised 2× as oftenBrake performance4.5% vs 2%

Over 10 years old

51.1% failed their MOT

Worse than most

From 4,815 MOT tests of Kia Carenss this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 3× as oftenBrake performance16.2% vs 5.8%

Fails 2× as oftenStop lamp8.8% vs 3.9%Fix about £30

Fails 71% more oftenSuspension arms8.7% vs 5.1%

Fails 57% more oftenPosition lamps8.3% vs 5.3%Fix about £30

Advised 37% more oftenTyre tread depth26.5% vs 19.3%Fix about £90

Advised 33% more oftenMechanical brake components22.5% vs 16.9%

Advised 64% more oftenSuspension arms19.8% vs 12.1%

Advised 2× as oftenAnti-roll bars11.9% vs 6%

Safety recalls

4 DVSA recalls for the Kia Carens

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2024/4655 Dec 2024Built 2009–2018Kia HECU Fuse Replacement

The HECU hydraulic electronic control unit of affected vehicles equipped with Anti-lock Brake Systems ABS and Electronic Stability Control ESC could leak internally and cause an electrical short over time. In extreme cases the HECU could overheat with a possible risk of an under bonnet fire.

Fix: The recall will replace the fuses in the junction box with a lower rated version.

Recalled models: Carens UN · 685 vehicles

R/2013/0551 Jun 2013Built 2008–2009Brake lights may malfunction

The vehicles brake lights may intermittently malfunction due to carbonisation of the contacts within the brake light switch. This can also affect other systems on the vehicle including: ESC cruise control gear selection (autoboxes) engine check lamp.

Fix: Recall vehicles likely to be affected to replace the brake light switch.

Recalled models: CARENS · 40,769 vehicles

R/2009/0929 Nov 2009Built 2006Brake light may not operate

It has been identified that due to a faulty switch the brake lights may not operate when the brake pedal is depressed

Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the brake light switch replaced.

Recalled models: CARENS · 1,816 vehicles

R/2003/16210 Nov 2003Built 2002–2003Reprogramming of abs ecm

An ABS programming error could cause reduced braking force at speeds under 40 kmh

Fix: Recall affected vehicles and reprogramme ABSECM and RDM data

Recalled models: CARENS · 2,638 vehicles

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Kia Carens before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.

Kia Carens reliability

4 DVSA recalls for the Kia Carens

Checking a Kia Carens before you buy

Run this check on every listing, automatically.