KIA Cerato
Registered from 2004 to 2018.
About this model
The Kia Cerato is a compact car produced by the South Korean manufacturer Kia since 2003. In 2008, the Cerato nameplate was replaced by the Forte nameplate in the North American market and the K3 nameplate in South Korea. However, the "Cerato" name remains in use in markets such as Australasia, Middle East and Latin America. It is available in five-door hatchback, two-door coupe and four-door sedan variants. It is not available in Europe, where the similar sized Kia Ceed is offered.
From the Wikipedia article Kia Cerato, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2005 1.6 petrol. 154 of 464 tests failed, 33%.
Better than 8% of 2005 cars. The typical one fails 27%, across 837 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 62% | 96 |
| Suspension | 50% | 77 |
| Lights and electrics | 40% | 62 |
| Body and structure | 23% | 36 |
| Tyres and wheels | 18% | 28 |
| Visibility | 18% | 28 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
Where it stands out against its peers
- Brakes: failed more often than 97% of 2005 cars — 62% of its 154 failed tests, where an ordinary 2005 car has 37%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Brakes — 62% of its failures
- Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Suspension — 50% of its failures
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded
- Tyres and wheels — 18% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 40% of its failures
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Body and structure — 23% of its failures
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Visibility — 18% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 120–140k miles this one fails 37% of its inspections, against the 30% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–40k miles | 24% | 17% | 33 | |
| 40–60k miles | 30% | 21% | 98 | |
| 60–80k miles | 30% | 26% | 94 | |
| 80–100k miles | 34% | 28% | 83 | |
| 100–120k miles | 41% | 29% | 80 | |
| 120–140k miles | 37% | 30% | 43 |
431 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 60k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/01885/23
Due to a manufacturing error, the engine might overheat due to fuel or oil leaks and subsequently break down. This may endanger the following traffic and can cause a fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/02510/25
Due to an internal leak of brake fluid, a short circuit may occur in the electrical circuit for the ABS/ESC (anti-lock braking system / electronic stability control) system. This may lead to an increase in current and overheating in the fuse box, increasing the risk of the engine catching fire, irrespective of whether the vehicle is parked or being driven. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users