No-nonsense seven-seater with a seven-year warranty
A practical seven-seat MPV produced from 2013 to 2019, the Carens targets budget-conscious families who need flexible seating without the bulk of a full-size people carrier. Kia's seven-year warranty and low running costs make it a strong used buy, though it was never exciting to drive.
We track 5 known issues across the Kia Carens range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Kia Carens? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
FC (2002–2006) — Petrol options included the 1.8 Petrol, 2.0 Petrol, with 2.0 CRDi on the diesel side. Our database flags 4 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Subframe mounting area corrosion (£800–£2,000 to address).
UN (2006–2013) — Petrol options included the 1.6 CVVT, 2.0 Beta II, 2.0 Petrol, with 2.0 CRDi, 2.0 CRDi, 1.6 CRDi on the diesel side. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Subframe mounting area corrosion (£800–£2,000 to address).
RP (2013–2022) — Petrol options included the 1.6 GDi, with 1.7 CRDi on the diesel side. We track 2 known issues on this generation, with 2 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Parking brake system failure (£150–£400 to address).
MOT data shows the Carens has a significant structural weakness where the rear subframe mounts to the body shell. This affects the prescribed areas within 30cm of suspension mounting points and represents a dangerous structural failure that can compromise vehicle stability and handling. The issue appears to worsen with age and affects vehicles from 40,000 miles upwards.
If the subframe mounting points fail completely, the rear suspension geometry becomes unstable and the vehicle is unsafe to drive. Repair typically requires extensive bodywork including welding of new mounting brackets and surrounding structure. Total repair costs can exceed the vehicle's value, making many cars uneconomical to repair.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
The Carens has a documented pattern of parking brake failures across all generations, with MOT data showing failure rates up to 31.9 times the national average. The system exhibits multiple failure modes including cable stretch, adjuster mechanism wear, and complete brake inoperability on one side. This affects both cable-operated and electric parking brake systems depending on generation, with the problem worsening over time and appearing from as low as 20,000 miles.
A failed parking brake is an automatic MOT failure and makes the vehicle illegal for road use. On slopes, the vehicle may roll away causing damage or injury. Cable-operated systems typically require cable replacement and adjustment. Electric systems may need motor or actuator replacement at significantly higher cost.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
MOT statistical evidence shows Carens models suffer suspension component corrosion and damage at 71.7 times the national fleet average. This affects control arms, subframes, and mounting brackets across all generations, with the problem being most severe on diesel variants. The corrosion appears early - from 20,000 miles - and worsens significantly with age, suggesting poor corrosion protection of suspension components from the factory.
Severely corroded suspension components can fail suddenly, causing loss of vehicle control. Even minor corrosion leads to accelerated wear of bushes and joints, resulting in poor handling, uneven tyre wear, and ultimately MOT failure. Repair involves replacement of affected arms and brackets.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The second-generation Carens with diesel engines shows power steering failures at 25.4 times the national fleet average. This appears to be specific to the 2006-2013 generation and primarily affects diesel variants, suggesting a particular hydraulic pump or system design issue. The problem typically manifests between 40,000-120,000 miles and can result in complete loss of power assistance, making the vehicle difficult and potentially dangerous to steer, particularly at low speeds.
Complete power steering failure makes the vehicle very difficult to steer, particularly during parking maneuvers or emergency situations. The vehicle remains driveable but requires significant physical effort to steer. Typical repairs involve power steering pump replacement or steering rack overhaul.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
MOT data shows the Carens experiences CV joint boot failure at 20.5 times the fleet average, particularly affecting first and second generation models. The rubber boots that protect the constant velocity joints split and tear, allowing grease to escape and dirt and water to enter. This is most commonly seen on the outer CV joints due to the greater articulation during steering. If left untreated, the exposed CV joint will fail within a few thousand miles.
A split CV joint boot will quickly lead to CV joint failure if not repaired. The joint will become noisy, develop play, and eventually fail completely, potentially leaving the vehicle immobile. Early intervention with boot replacement is much cheaper than full CV joint replacement.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Kia Carens common problems page.
Based on 91k real DVSA MOT tests, the Kia Carens fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is suspension component damaged or corroded at 72x the fleet average, followed by parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement (35x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Kia Carens MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £60–£90 at an independent garage.
See the full Kia Carens service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Kia Carens has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 2015-2018 models offer the best blend of remaining warranty coverage and proven reliability. The 1.7 CRDi diesel is the engine to have for its fuel economy and load-lugging torque. Avoid the 1.6 petrol if you regularly carry a full car.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Kia Carens, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Kia Carens issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.