Skip to main content
Check

Kia Cerato LD (1st gen) (2004-2009) reliability

Not enough data

Kia Cerato LD (1st gen) built around 2006: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Kia Cerato LD (1st gen) models built around 2006 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Kia Cerato LD (1st gen) right now?

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

Key figure

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 rate2004-2009HatchbackPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 665 tests of Cerato models registered 2004-2009.

LD (1st gen) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
12236.1%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
32135.5%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
22232.4%

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 18 years old.

How the Cerato LD (1st gen) compares

At each age below, see how the Cerato LD (1st gen) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 8,819 tests across 8 Kia models, built around 2006 (19 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateKia average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
12236.1%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
32135.5%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
22232.4%

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 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.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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 hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Cerato LD (1st gen).

  1. 1

    Subaru Impreza

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21%

    Lower fail rate: 21.0%, against 35.5% for the Kia Cerato LD (1st gen), both built around 2006.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,256 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

  2. 2

    Toyota Prius

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.5%
    Dangerous
    5.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 29.2%, against 35.5% for the Kia Cerato LD (1st gen), both built around 2006.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,519 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

  3. 3

    Toyota Corolla

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.6%
    Dangerous
    7.1%

    Lower fail rate: 29.7%, against 35.5% for the Kia Cerato LD (1st gen), both built around 2006.

    7 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    14,210 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

  4. 4

    BMW 1 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.8%
    Dangerous
    7.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    92.1%

    Lower fail rate: 28.4%, against 35.5% for the Kia Cerato LD (1st gen), both built around 2006.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    7,482 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

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.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Kia Cerato name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

What has gone wrong on Cerato LD (1st gen) cars built around 2006

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 88 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
45%
Emissions
32%
Steering
14%
Bodywork
9%
Drivetrain
3%

Wear items

Brakes
70%
Lighting
59%
Tyres
44%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 16% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How Cerato LD (1st gen) cars have aged

How Cerato LD (1st 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%151617181920Age at MOTBuilt around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 33.5% (568 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 35.5% (467 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 34.4% (337 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 36.7% (218 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 36.1% (166 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 35.5% (628 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 35.5% (476 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.7% (323 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 36.5% (241 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 29.8% (168 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 35.2% (125 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 36.3% (91 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 35.9% (78 tests, 2023 data)2004
First registered around 2006First registered around 2005First registered around 2004
LD (1st gen) variants compared
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Kia Ceratos of this age

This list covers every Kia Cerato built around 2006, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the LD (1st gen) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    31.8%
    Advisory: 151Fail: 19 (11% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    26.2%
    Advisory: 112Fail: 19 (15% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    21.8%
    Advisory: 95Fail: 3 (3% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    19.3%
    Advisory: 98Fail: 11 (10% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    17.8%
    Advisory: 68Fail: 5 (7% of the times it was found)

Based on 321 tests

Looking at a Kia Cerato LD (1st gen) right now?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2006 (19 years old), the Kia Cerato LD (1st gen) (2004-2009) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 321 19-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 665 MOT tests on Kia Ceratos first registered between 2004-2009. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.