CarHistory.cc
‹ Kia

Kia Stonic years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

31,747 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2018–2022 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

All 5 Kia Stonic years have MOT pass rates above the average for vehicles first used in the same year.

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.

87.8%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 87.4% to 88.2%.

In 2025, 87.8% of the 31,747 initial MOT tests on Kia Stonic cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 85.0%. That is 2.8 points above the same-age average.

Check a specific Stonic

Its own MOT history, free.

Kia Stonic MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2022age 36,13120,60091.3%±0.8+2.8 ptsall: 88.5%
2021age 46,10525,70089.4%±0.8+2.2 ptsall: 87.2%
2020age 54,52029,40087.5%±1.0+1.5 ptsall: 86.0%
2019age 68,19038,50086.2%±0.8+2.7 ptsall: 83.5%
2018age 76,80147,50085.3%±0.9+4.4 ptsall: 80.9%

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 up

Does mileage matter?

Kia Stonic first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

92.4% of Kia Stonic tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 79.7% at 60,000 to 89,999 miles. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 90.1% and 78.5%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
Under 30,00014,35692.4%±0.5+2.3 ptsall: 90.1%
30,000–59,99914,13785.1%±0.6+1.2 ptsall: 83.9%
60,000–89,9992,89379.7%±1.6+1.2 ptsall: 78.5%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Stonic tests were above average under 60,000 miles and about average at 60,000 to 89,999 miles.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Kia Stonic 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. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: 90,000–119,999 and 120,000 or more. Every test had a usable odometer reading. How we count

Common Stonic problems at the MOT

Share of the 3,873 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

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.

What to check when viewing a Stonic

Based on the areas where Kia Stonic MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Windscreen, wipers, mirrors

    In 30.7% of failed Stonic tests

    • 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.

  2. Brakes

    In 25.1% of failed Stonic tests

    • 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.

  3. Tyres

    In 22.2% of failed Stonic tests

    • 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.

  4. Lights and electrics

    In 19.0% of failed Stonic tests

    • 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.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a Stonic's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Kia Stonic cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Kia Stonic cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 4.7% failed on tyres, against 2.5% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 2,851 and 15,620 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory4.7%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted2.5%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 9.8% of those with a tyre advisory and 8.6% of the others.

Brakes

Of Kia Stonic cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 7.6% failed on brakes, against 3.5% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 2,654 and 15,699 cars.

  • With a brake advisory7.6%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted3.5%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 9.8% of those with a brake advisory and 8.6% 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 data

Kia Stonic questions

Which Kia Stonic 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: 2018–2022. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Kia Stonic reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 87.8% of initial MOT tests on Kia Stonic cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 85.0%. That is 2.8 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 Stonic problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are windscreen, wipers, mirrors (in 30.7% of failed tests), brakes (in 25.1% of failed tests) and tyres (in 22.2% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 3-year-old Kia Stonic?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Kia Stonic cars first used in 2022, about 3 years old, had a median of 20,600 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Stonic'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 free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Kia Stonic

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 show

Other Kia models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 13 Kia modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Kia Stonic cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count