2008 Kia Ceed MOT pass rate: 59.4% (13,460 tests)
Is the 2008 Ceed getting worse?
Pass rate of 2008-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 60.1% -5.3 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 58.7% -6.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 59.4% -5.8 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2008 Ceed
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 4,865 | 24.6% |
| 2 | Brakes | 4,591 | 23.2% |
| 3 | Suspension | 4,196 | 21.2% |
| 4 | Tyres | 1,760 | 8.9% |
| 5 | Visibility | 1,193 | 6.0% |
| 6 | Steering | 1,097 | 5.5% |
All Ceed years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 7,186 | 58.6% | -6.5 pts | 105,120 |
| 2008 (this page) | 13,460 | 59.4% | -5.7 pts | 103,705 |
| 2009 | 20,736 | 61.5% | -4.9 pts | 97,088 |
| 2010 | 23,622 | 61.0% | -6.4 pts | 97,875 |
| 2011 | 21,119 | 60.5% | -8.7 pts | 98,622 |
| 2012 | 34,506 | 63.4% | -7.8 pts | 94,535 |
| 2013 | 32,552 | 66.9% | -6.4 pts | 89,248 |
| 2014 | 32,885 | 70.6% | -5.2 pts | 77,637 |
| 2015 | 33,279 | 77.6% | -1.1 pts | 70,845 |
| 2016 | 28,590 | 80.8% | -0.6 pts | 64,172 |
| 2017 | 25,347 | 83.1% | -0.9 pts | 57,138 |
| 2018 | 27,482 | 85.3% | -1.0 pts | 47,536 |
| 2019 | 22,554 | 86.7% | -1.7 pts | 40,654 |
| 2020 | 5,401 | 88.5% | -1.4 pts | 29,464 |
| 2021 | 3,734 | 87.7% | -2.7 pts | 29,360 |
| 2022 | 3,900 | 89.9% | -1.3 pts | 27,617 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Kia Ceed years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
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- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2008 Kia Ceed reliable?
2008-registered examples passed 59.4% of their MOT tests (13,460 tests, 2023–2025), -5.7 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 18 years old with a median 103,705 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2008 Ceed?
The median tested example shows 103,705 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2008 Ceed?
In this cohort petrols pass 60.9% of tests against 57.4% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.