2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Kia Soul MOT pass rate and common faults

1,582 MOT tests in 2024. 59.4% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

92Below average
Passed first time59.4%
Failed or needed repairs40.6%
Typical mileage at test75,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,582 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play14.5%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.7%
    89 marked dangerous
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.4%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.4%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.1%
    57 marked dangerous
  6. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn3.0%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.0%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.0%
  9. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.0%
  10. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.0%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension18.6%
  2. Steering17.4%
  3. Brakes15.6%
  4. Lights & electrics14.7%
  5. Tyres10.0%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.7%
  7. Body & chassis1.9%
  8. Emissions & leaks1.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.3%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.5%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.0%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded10.9%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.0%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Kia Soul?

In 2024, 59.4% of 2012 Kia Soul cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,582 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Kia Soul?

The most common failure reasons were track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2012 Kia Soul reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 92, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).