MOT failure data · 2025
Kia Soul MOT problems
Across every Kia Soul that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was track rod end ball joint has excessive play, on 10.43% of failure items. The broadest problem area was brakes at 26.25%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.
Most common Kia Soul MOT failures
| # | Recorded defect | Area | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end ball joint has excessive play | Steering | 10.43% |
| 2 | Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 4.78% |
| 3 | Position lamp not working | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 4.33% |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 4.09% |
| 5 | Ball joint ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 4.09% |
| 6 | Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 3.77% |
| 7 | Condition has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 3.48% |
| 8 | Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively | Visibility | 3.36% |
| 9 | Rigid brake pipes excessively corroded | Brakes | 3.03% |
| 10 | Linkage ball joints ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 2.33% |
Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.
What this means if you are buying one
Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Kia Soul, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.
The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Kia Soul buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.
Checking a specific Kia Soul?
Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.
Other Kia models
- Kia Sportage MOT problems
- Kia Picanto MOT problems
- Kia Ceed MOT problems
- Kia Niro MOT problems
- Kia RIO MOT problems
- Kia Venga MOT problems
Kia Soul MOT FAQs
What does a Kia Soul most commonly fail its MOT on?
The single most recorded defect on Kia Soul cars failing their 2025 MOT was "track rod end ball joint has excessive play", appearing on 10.43% of failure items.
Does this mean my Kia Soul will fail?
No. This is what testers recorded across every Kia Soul that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Kia Soul passed 75.27% of its initial tests.
How do I see a specific Kia Soul's MOT history?
Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.
See also: Kia Soul MOT pass rate · used Kia Soul buying guide · free MOT history check
Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.