Comparison · family hatchbacks

Vauxhall Astra vs Kia Ceed: which is more reliable?

The Vauxhall Astra does better at the MOT, with a score of 98 against 93 for the Kia Ceed, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 741,364 real MOT tests in 2024.

Vauxhall Astra

98Below average
MOT tests625,158

Kia Ceed

93Below average
MOT tests116,206

By age

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

Age at testVauxhall AstraKia Ceed
3–5 years
99About average
97Below average
6–9 years
98About average
99About average
10–14 years
100About average
88Well below average
15+ years
94Below average
87Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearVauxhall AstraKia Ceed
202187.5%84.0%
202086.3%84.1%
201984.0%82.3%
201880.8%81.9%
201779.7%78.3%
201676.5%76.2%
201569.6%72.4%
201467.4%65.6%
201366.9%60.9%
201265.2%55.7%
201162.2%50.0%
201059.4%50.3%
200955.9%51.5%
200854.6%49.9%
200753.5%48.0%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaVauxhall AstraKia Ceed
Lights & electrics17.818.5
Brakes13.915.7
Suspension13.811.1
Tyres8.98.9
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.86.3
Emissions & leaks7.02.3
Body & chassis5.11.9
Steering1.15.0

Vauxhall Astra: top failures

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.9%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.7%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
  4. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.2%
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.8%
  6. Position lamp: not working1.7%

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 Vauxhall Astra or the Kia Ceed?

The Vauxhall Astra does better at the MOT, with a score of 98 against 93 for the Kia Ceed, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Vauxhall Astra and Kia Ceed can be compared?

Both were tested for 15 registration years (2007–2021). The Vauxhall Astra had the higher pass rate in 13 of them and the Kia Ceed in 2.

What fails most on each?

Vauxhall Astra: coil spring: fractured or broken; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. Kia Ceed: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.