KIA Soul
Registered from 2009 to 2023.
About this model
The Kia Soul is a subcompact crossover hatchback manufactured and marketed by Kia, produced from 2008 to 2025, in over three generations.
From the Wikipedia article Kia Soul, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2011 1.6 diesel. 982 of 3,691 tests failed, 27%.
Better than 21% of 2011 cars. The typical one fails 22%, across 924 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 45% | 438 |
| Suspension | 34% | 334 |
| Brakes | 32% | 314 |
| Lights and electrics | 25% | 247 |
| Tyres and wheels | 20% | 197 |
| Visibility | 13% | 128 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Where it stands out against its peers
- Steering: failed more often than 99% of 2011 cars — 45% of its 982 failed tests, where an ordinary 2011 car has 5%.
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.
- Steering — 45% of its failures
- A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
- Suspension — 34% of its failures
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- Brakes — 32% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Tyres and wheels — 20% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Lights and electrics — 25% of its failures
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Visibility — 13% of its failures
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 160–180k miles this one fails 37% of its inspections, against the 27% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–40k miles | 15% | 14% | 168 | |
| 40–60k miles | 21% | 18% | 503 | |
| 60–80k miles | 24% | 21% | 926 | |
| 80–100k miles | 29% | 24% | 973 | |
| 100–120k miles | 29% | 25% | 615 | |
| 120–140k miles | 32% | 26% | 323 | |
| 140–160k miles | 33% | 26% | 110 | |
| 160–180k miles | 37% | 27% | 38 |
3,656 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 80k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | electric · 170 hp · 1738 kg · 2600 mm wheelbase · 157 Wh/km |
| 2020 | electric · 1757 kg · 2600 mm wheelbase · 157 Wh/km |
| 2019 | 1.6 petrol · 1275 kg · 2570 mm wheelbase · 6.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2018 | 1.6 petrol · 1364 kg · 2570 mm wheelbase · 6.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 1.6 diesel · 134 hp · 1409 kg · 2569 mm wheelbase · 4.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 1.6 diesel · 132 hp · 1416 kg · 2570 mm wheelbase · 5.0 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 1.6 diesel · 128 hp · 1420 kg · 2569 mm wheelbase · 5.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 1.6 diesel · 125 hp · 1404 kg · 2564 mm wheelbase · 5.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 1.6 diesel · 123 hp · 1379 kg · 2550 mm wheelbase · 5.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 1.6 diesel · 123 hp · 1387 kg · 2548 mm wheelbase · 5.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 1.6 diesel · 124 hp · 1376 kg · 2536 mm wheelbase · 5.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2010 | 1.6 diesel · 1386 kg · 2533 mm wheelbase · 5.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00530/22
Frontal collision sensors (left and right) could disengage in the event of a collision. This can affect the deployment of the airbags, increasing the risk of injuries in the event of an accident. 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
A12/00828/22
In the event of a collision the two frontal impact sensors may separate. This can affect the deployment of the airbag, increasing the risk of injury. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in 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
A12/01056/24
The battery management system (BMS) might not detect an abnormal voltage in the battery cells before an electrical short circuit occurs. This could lead to an increased risk of 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
A12/02471/24
A manufacturing fault can lead to the accidental deployment of the side-curtain airbag, creating a risk of injury to the occupants. 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/00016/25
Due to a brake fluid leak, an electrical short circuit can occur during vehicle operation. This can cause an electrical overload in the ABS module, leading the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), to remain live even when the vehicle is switched off. If moisture enters the HECU, an electrical short circuit can occur. This could result in an engine compartment 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