Comparison · small SUVs

SEAT Arona vs Kia Stonic: which is more reliable?

The Kia Stonic does better at the MOT, with a score of 103 against 100 for the SEAT Arona, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 72,092 real MOT tests in 2024.

SEAT Arona

100About average
MOT tests46,442

Kia Stonic

103Above average
MOT tests25,650

By age

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

Age at testSEAT AronaKia Stonic
3–5 years
101About average
103Above average
6–9 years
94Below average
104Above average
10–14 years––
15+ years––

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearSEAT AronaKia Stonic
202187.5%91.9%
202088.7%89.3%
201986.4%86.4%
201878.0%85.6%
201771.6%84.5%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaSEAT AronaKia Stonic
Brakes5.93.9
Tyres5.22.9
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.94.7
Lights & electrics2.42.5
Steering2.70.3
Suspension0.70.5
Emissions & leaks0.70.6
Seat belts & airbags0.80.1

SEAT Arona: top failures

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.4%
  2. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.1%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.2%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively fluctuating0.9%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.9%

Kia Stonic: top failures

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.6%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.3%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.2%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.7%
  5. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam0.4%
  6. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.4%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the SEAT Arona or the Kia Stonic?

The Kia Stonic does better at the MOT, with a score of 103 against 100 for the SEAT Arona, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the SEAT Arona and Kia Stonic can be compared?

Both were tested for 5 registration years (2017–2021). The SEAT Arona had the higher pass rate in 1 of them and the Kia Stonic in 4.

What fails most on each?

SEAT Arona: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Kia Stonic: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick.