Comparison · family hatchbacks

BMW 1 Series vs Kia Ceed: which is more reliable?

The BMW 1 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 93 for the Kia Ceed, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 492,549 real MOT tests in 2024.

BMW 1 Series

106Above average
MOT tests376,343

Kia Ceed

93Below average
MOT tests116,206

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testBMW 1 SeriesKia Ceed
3–5 years
102Above average
97Below average
6–9 years
105Above average
99About average
10–14 years
107Above average
88Well below average
15+ years
112Well above average
87Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearBMW 1 SeriesKia Ceed
202190.4%84.0%
202089.3%84.1%
201986.3%82.3%
201884.4%81.9%
201783.3%78.3%
201680.4%76.2%
201578.0%72.4%
201474.0%65.6%
201371.7%60.9%
201267.5%55.7%
201167.3%50.0%
201066.3%50.3%
200965.5%51.5%
200865.1%49.9%
200764.0%48.0%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaBMW 1 SeriesKia Ceed
Lights & electrics11.418.5
Brakes7.315.7
Tyres8.58.9
Suspension6.011.1
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.46.3
Steering0.55.0
Emissions & leaks2.72.3
Body & chassis1.31.9

BMW 1 Series: top failures

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
  2. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.2%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
  4. Position lamp: not working1.5%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.2%

Kia Ceed: top failures

  1. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.6%
  4. Position lamp: not working2.6%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.5%
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.0%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the BMW 1 Series or the Kia Ceed?

The BMW 1 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 93 for the Kia Ceed, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the BMW 1 Series and Kia Ceed can be compared?

Both were tested for 15 registration years (2007–2021). The BMW 1 Series had the higher pass rate in 15 of them and the Kia Ceed in 0.

What fails most on each?

BMW 1 Series: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. Kia Ceed: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.