Comparison · family hatchbacks

Ford Focus vs Kia Ceed: which is more reliable?

The Ford Focus does better at the MOT, with a score of 99 against 93 for the Kia Ceed, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 1,010,154 real MOT tests in 2024.

Ford Focus

99About average
MOT tests893,948

Kia Ceed

93Below average
MOT tests116,206

By age

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

Age at testFord FocusKia Ceed
3–5 years
100About average
97Below average
6–9 years
103Above average
99About average
10–14 years
96Below average
88Well below average
15+ years
97Below average
87Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearFord FocusKia Ceed
202188.3%84.0%
202087.8%84.1%
201983.7%82.3%
201883.4%81.9%
201782.5%78.3%
201679.4%76.2%
201575.6%72.4%
201467.4%65.6%
201363.9%60.9%
201263.3%55.7%
201159.1%50.0%
201057.2%50.3%
200956.8%51.5%
200855.6%49.9%
200757.4%48.0%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaFord FocusKia Ceed
Lights & electrics21.018.5
Suspension12.611.1
Brakes7.515.7
Tyres8.88.9
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.66.3
Emissions & leaks4.62.3
Steering1.55.0
Body & chassis3.61.9

Ford Focus: top failures

  1. Position lamp: not working3.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.8%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.7%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.0%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.5%

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 Ford Focus or the Kia Ceed?

The Ford Focus does better at the MOT, with a score of 99 against 93 for the Kia Ceed, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Ford Focus and Kia Ceed can be compared?

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

What fails most on each?

Ford Focus: position lamp: not working; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Kia Ceed: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.