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Kia Carens RP (3rd gen) (2013-2019) reliability

At a glance

Kia Carens RP (3rd gen) built around 2018: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Kia Carens RP (3rd gen) models built around 2018 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Looking at a Kia Carens RP (3rd gen) right now?

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

Key figure

8% of MOT tests on Kia Carens RP (3rd gen) models built around 2018 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 6% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Kia Carens RP (3rd gen) models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Kia Carens RP (3rd gen)
poor reliability2013-2019MPVDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 14,319 tests of Carens models registered 2013-2019.

About 1 in 25 Carens RP (3rd gen) MOTs (4.1%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 2,171 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 12 Carens RP (3rd gen) MOTs (8.5%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 2,171 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

RP (3rd gen) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
80220.4%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
2,17122.4%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
2,43523.3%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
2,54426.2%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
2,85926.5%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
2,72227.0%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
78629.8%

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 12 years old.

How the Carens RP (3rd gen) compares

At each age below, see how the Carens RP (3rd gen) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 105,025 tests across 12 Kia models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateKia average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
80220.4%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
2,17122.4%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
2,43523.3%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
2,54426.2%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
2,85926.5%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
2,72227.0%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
78629.8%

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.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

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.

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 RP (3rd gen).

  1. 1

    Hyundai ix20

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.5%, against 22.4% for the Kia Carens RP (3rd gen), both built around 2018.

    3,239 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Toyota Verso

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90%

    Lower fail rate: 16.4%, against 22.4% for the Kia Carens RP (3rd gen), both built around 2018.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,716 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Mercedes-Benz B-Class

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.1%
    Dangerous
    5.5%

    Lower fail rate: 15.4%, against 22.4% for the Kia Carens RP (3rd gen), both built around 2018.

    6 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    5,267 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Volkswagen Sharan

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.9%
    Dangerous
    5.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.2%

    Lower fail rate: 15.0%, against 22.4% for the Kia Carens RP (3rd gen), both built around 2018.

    6 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,091 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

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

No recall notices match this build period.

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

What has gone wrong on Carens RP (3rd gen) cars built around 2018

The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 83 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
2%

Wear items

Tyres
31%
Brakes
27%
Lighting
23%
How Carens RP (3rd gen) cars have aged

How Carens RP (3rd 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%357911Age at MOTBuilt around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 16.6% (1,383 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 18.0% (1,386 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 19.5% (1,320 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 21.8% (1,332 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 22.6% (1,356 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 16.5% (1,608 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 17.2% (1,600 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 20.3% (1,584 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 22.6% (1,588 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 22.4% (1,552 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 17.5% (1,466 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 18.9% (1,496 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 21.9% (1,504 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 24.0% (1,477 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (1,460 tests, 2025 data)2016Built around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 19.3% (1,840 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 20.2% (1,802 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 23.2% (1,769 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 24.9% (1,805 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (1,723 tests, 2025 data)2015Built around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 21.1% (1,897 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 24.1% (1,904 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 24.9% (1,868 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 26.3% (1,775 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 25.9% (1,685 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 22.1% (958 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 26.8% (952 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (890 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 27.5% (835 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 29.8% (786 tests, 2025 data)2013
First registered around 2018First registered around 2017First registered around 2016First registered around 2015
RP (3rd gen) variants compared

Carens RP (3rd gen) variants built around 2018

The fail rate for each Carens RP (3rd gen) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • CARENS21.0%1,457 tests

Petrol

  • CARENS25.3%713 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Kia Carenses of this age

This list covers every Kia Carens built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the RP (3rd gen) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

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

    21.8%
    Advisory: 687Fail: 56 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    16.1%
    Advisory: 379Fail: 84 (18% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    12.1%
    Advisory: 279Fail: 88 (24% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    11.6%
    Advisory: 352Fail: 9 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, but not excessively

    5.4%
    Advisory: 133Fail: 22 (14% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,171 tests

Looking at a Kia Carens RP (3rd gen) right now?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Kia Carens RP (3rd gen) (2013-2019) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 2,171 7-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 14,319 MOT tests on Kia Carenses first registered between 2013-2019. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.