Kia Niro years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year
No Kia Niro year has an MOT pass rate clearly below the average for vehicles first used in the same year. Above it: 2016–2021 and 2024. The other 2 years can't be told apart from average.
- Below the average for their first-use yearNone
- Above the average for their first-use year2016–2021 and 2024
- Can't be told apart from average2022–2023
The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.
First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 87.5% to 87.9%.
In 2025, 87.7% of the 104,470 initial MOT tests on Kia Niro cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 86.2%. That is 1.4 points above the same-age average.
Check a specific Niro
Kia Niro MOT pass rate by year
| Year | Chart | Testsmedian miles | Passed first time | Against all vehicles that year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024age 1 | 1,95526,500 | 95.4%±1.1 | +1.4 ptsall: 94.0% | |
| 2023age 2 | 3,57441,500 | 91.4%±1.0 | −0.2 ptsall: 91.6% | |
| 2022age 3 | 27,04129,700 | 88.7%±0.4 | +0.2 ptsall: 88.5% | |
| 2021age 4 | 27,67940,000 | 88.0%±0.4 | +0.8 ptsall: 87.2% | |
| 2020age 5 | 20,33343,500 | 86.9%±0.5 | +0.9 ptsall: 86.0% | |
| 2019age 6 | 10,63354,200 | 86.3%±0.7 | +2.8 ptsall: 83.5% | |
| 2018age 7 | 7,45166,900 | 85.7%±0.9 | +4.8 ptsall: 80.9% | |
| 2017age 8 | 4,52565,300 | 83.9%±1.1 | +5.7 ptsall: 78.2% | |
| 2016age 9 | 1,27967,100 | 84.0%±2.2 | +9.1 ptsall: 74.9% |
Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.
When a car's mileage doesn't add upDoes mileage matter?
90.7% of Kia Niro tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 83.4% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 90.7% and 76.5%.
| Miles at the test | Tests | Passed first time | Against all vehicles, same age and mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30,000 | 32,365 | 90.7%±0.4 | 0.0 ptsall: 90.7% |
| 30,000–59,999 | 40,539 | 86.9%±0.4 | +1.9 ptsall: 85.0% |
| 60,000–89,999 | 17,061 | 86.6%±0.6 | +6.8 ptsall: 79.7% |
| 90,000–119,999 | 7,642 | 84.9%±0.9 | +7.9 ptsall: 77.0% |
| 120,000 or more | 6,859 | 83.4%±0.9 | +6.9 ptsall: 76.5% |
Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Niro tests were about average under 30,000 miles and above average at 30,000 miles or more.
Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Kia Niro tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.
Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. 4 tests (under 0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count
Common Niro problems at the MOT
MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.
Most common MOT failures on the Kia Niro
| Defect | Share of failed tests | All vehicles, same age |
|---|---|---|
| Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectivelyWindscreen, wipers, mirrors | 21.9%2,828 tests | 13.3% |
| Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cordsTyres | 14.9%1,917 tests | 13.1% |
| Tyre has ply or cords exposedTyres | 13.7%1,766 tests | 7.4% |
| Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres | 12.0%1,548 tests | 10.2% |
| Headlamp aim too lowLights and electrics | 4.8%617 tests | 4.3% |
| Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lampsLights and electrics | 3.9%504 tests | 1.8% |
| Washer provides insufficient washer liquidWindscreen, wipers, mirrors | 3.2%414 tests | 4.8% |
| Tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperativeTyres | 2.7%343 tests | 2.4% |
| Headlamp aim too highLights and electrics | 2.5%326 tests | 5.2% |
| Parking brake efficiency below requirementsBrakes | 2.4%310 tests | 1.0% |
These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the Niro's failed tests in each year. How we count
What to check when viewing a Niro
Tyres
- Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
- Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
- Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.
Windscreen, wipers, mirrors
- Look for chips and cracks in the windscreen, especially in front of the driver.
- Run the wipers and washers. The blades should clear the screen without smearing.
- Check both door mirrors and the rear-view mirror are intact and adjust.
Lights and electrics
- Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
- Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
- Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.
Brakes
- On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
- Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
- Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.
Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.
Check a Niro's MOT historyAfter an MOT advisory
Tyres
Of Kia Niro cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 9.1% failed on tyres, against 5.6% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 9,018 and 30,933 cars.
Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 17.0% of those with a tyre advisory and 22.2% of the others.
Brakes
Of Kia Niro cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 7.2% failed on brakes, against 2.2% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 2,050 and 37,217 cars.
Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 14.9% of those with a brake advisory and 21.4% of the others.
Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.
How we worked this outAll models compared, with the dataKia Niro questions
Which Kia Niro years have lower MOT pass rates?
Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2016–2021 and 2024. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.
Is the Kia Niro reliable?
MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 87.7% of initial MOT tests on Kia Niro cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 86.2%. That is 1.4 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.
What are the most common Kia Niro problems at the MOT?
The most common failure areas are tyres (in 45.3% of failed tests), windscreen, wipers, mirrors (in 27.5% of failed tests) and lights and electrics (in 20.9% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.
What mileage is normal for a 3-year-old Kia Niro?
At their 2025 MOT tests, Kia Niro cars first used in 2022, about 3 years old, had a median of 29,700 miles. Half had more and half had less.
How do I check a specific Niro's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.
Check a car's MOT history for freeWhat MOT data can't tell you about any Kia Niro
Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.
Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't showOther Kia models
- Kia Sportage−0.6 pts against the same-age average
- Kia Picanto−1.1 pts against the same-age average
- Kia Ceed−3.9 pts against the same-age average
- Kia Rio−1.0 pts against the same-age average
- Kia Venga+0.3 pts against the same-age average
- Kia Sorento−1.3 pts against the same-age average
Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.
All 13 Kia modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by ageSource: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Kia Niro cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count