Skip to main content
Check
Kia

Kia Soul reliability by build year

Coverage 2009-present3 named generationsHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL / ELECTRICITY
At a glance

Kia Soul built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Kia Souls built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Kia Soul by number plate

Key figure

13% of MOT tests on Kia Souls built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Kia Souls built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Kia Soul's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

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.

Brakes

Worth checking

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

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.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Soul's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Soul Mk3 (SK3)

Mk3 (SK3) (2020-present)

Not enough tests to rate
ELECTRICITY

10.2% fail rate, built around 2021 (4 years old)

Likely between 8.4% and 12.5%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 9 MOTs, 11.4%)

From 820 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Soul Mk2 (PS)

Mk2 (PS) (2014-2019)

Too close to call between ratings
ELECTRICITYDIESELPETROL

13.4% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 2,007 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Soul Mk1 (AM)

Mk1 (AM) (2009-2013)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

29.0% fail rate, built around 2013 (12 years old)

Likely between 26.1% and 32.1%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 26.3%)

From 858 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Kia Soul.

See every build year for the Kia Soul

Side-by-side

Kia Soul generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk3 (SK3) (2020-present)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate10.2%likely between 8.4% and 12.5%built around 2021 (4 years old)from 820 MOT tests at this age
Mk2 (PS) (2014-2019)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings13.4%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 2,007 MOT tests at this age
Mk1 (AM) (2009-2013)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate29.0%likely between 26.1% and 32.1%built around 2013 (12 years old)from 858 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Soul, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Kia Soul fail rate by age

This chart combines every Kia Soul ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
1,0848.3%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
1,19810.8%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
72413.5%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
1,23612.9%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
2,00713.4%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
2,27014.8%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
2,80718.9%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
3,33520.4%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
2,63724.1%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,81628.8%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
3,06730.5%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
4,55130.5%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
3,34732.1%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1,43534.2%

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 16 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Kia Soul stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Kia models

4th of 12

4th lowest fail rate of 12 Kia models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

13th of 84

13th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

13.4%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Kia Souls

These issues come from 7-year-old Kia Souls, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

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

    14.8%
    Advisory: 427Fail: 30 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    12.9%
    Advisory: 382Fail: 31 (8% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    9.6%
    Advisory: 193Fail: 33 (15% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    7.1%
    Advisory: 187Fail: 5 (3% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake binding slightly

    3.4%
    Advisory: 75Fail: 9 (11% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,007 MOT tests on 7-year-old Kia Souls, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Kia Souls notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres46%
  2. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers15%
  3. Brakes + Windscreen & wipers13%
  4. Other + Tyres12%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 411 MOT tests on Kia Soul cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

95%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

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.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

13 recalls in all

All 13 Kia Soul recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 11 more

Top concerns

  • Kia Soul SK3 curtain airbag recall
  • Kia HECU fuse replacement
  • In the event of a frontal collision the front impact sensors could become disconnected and the air bags may not activate

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

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.5%

    No clear edge over the Kia Soul on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,314 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    No clear edge over the Kia Soul on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    50,561 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Fiat 500

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.9%

    No clear edge over the Kia Soul on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    MG 3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.1%

    No clear edge over the Kia Soul on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    3,383 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Kia Soul across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has the 4th lowest fail rate of 12 Kia models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 2,007 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Kia Soul ever sold: 31,514 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 2,007 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.