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Kia Carens FJ (2nd gen) (2006-2012) reliability

Not enough data

Kia Carens FJ (2nd gen) built around 2012: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Kia Carens FJ (2nd gen) models built around 2012 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Kia Carens FJ (2nd gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

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Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2006-2012MPVDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 3,739 tests of Carens models registered 2006-2012.

FJ (2nd gen) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
24436.1%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
35533.2%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
86235.5%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1,05334.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
77935.9%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
33639.0%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
11042.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 19 years old.

How the Carens FJ (2nd gen) compares

At each age below, see how the Carens FJ (2nd gen) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 67,368 tests across 11 Kia models, built around 2012 (13 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateKia average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
24436.1%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
35533.2%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
86235.5%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1,05334.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
77935.9%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
33639.0%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
11042.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Carens FJ (2nd gen).

  1. 1

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.6%
    Dangerous
    3.7%

    Lower fail rate: 17.5%, against 36.1% for the Kia Carens FJ (2nd gen), both built around 2012.

    2,086 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  2. 2

    Toyota Verso

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.8%
    Dangerous
    5.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90%

    Lower fail rate: 26.4%, against 36.1% for the Kia Carens FJ (2nd gen), both built around 2012.

    4,281 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  3. 3

    Skoda Roomster

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.7%
    Dangerous
    5.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.4%

    Lower fail rate: 25.7%, against 36.1% for the Kia Carens FJ (2nd gen), both built around 2012.

    2,761 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  4. 4

    Volkswagen Touran

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.8%
    Dangerous
    7.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    92.6%

    Lower fail rate: 24.8%, against 36.1% for the Kia Carens FJ (2nd gen), both built around 2012.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    7,615 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Kia Carens.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

11 recalls in all

3 of the 11 Carens FJ (2nd gen) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 2 more

Top concerns

  • Kia HECU fuse replacement
  • Brake lights may malfunction
  • Brake light may not operate

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

How Carens FJ (2nd gen) cars have aged

How Carens FJ (2nd gen) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%40%91113151719Age at MOTBuilt around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 31.6% (117 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 37.2% (121 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 33.9% (109 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 38.3% (94 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 31.9% (72 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 29.4% (360 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (323 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 35.5% (310 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 33.8% (269 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 34.5% (174 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (436 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (398 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 31.3% (352 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 31.4% (296 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 35.7% (269 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (1,420 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 34.0% (1,214 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (1,007 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 34.9% (837 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 34.7% (628 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 35.8% (1,671 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 34.9% (1,359 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 35.6% (1,090 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 34.7% (779 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 35.1% (562 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 36.9% (887 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 37.6% (647 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 37.2% (435 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 37.8% (267 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 36.4% (173 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 39.5% (555 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 40.1% (399 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 41.3% (288 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 41.4% (162 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 42.7% (110 tests, 2025 data)2006
First registered around 2012First registered around 2011First registered around 2010First registered around 2009
FJ (2nd gen) variants compared
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Kia Carenses of this age

This list covers every Kia Carens built around 2012, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the FJ (2nd gen) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    36.5%
    Advisory: 127Fail: 33 (21% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    26.6%
    Advisory: 85Fail: 11 (11% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    14.3%
    Advisory: 48Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    12.3%
    Advisory: 43Fail: 7 (14% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    11.9%
    Advisory: 39Fail: 6 (13% of the times it was found)

Based on 244 tests

Looking at a Kia Carens FJ (2nd gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2012 (13 years old), the Kia Carens FJ (2nd gen) (2006-2012) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 244 13-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 3,739 MOT tests on Kia Carenses first registered between 2006-2012. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.