What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Kia Cerato.
The Kia Cerato occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Kia Cerato range, including 2 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Kia Cerato? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
LD (2004–2009) — Petrol options included the 1.6 Petrol, with 1.5 CRDi on the diesel side. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Subframe mounting point corrosion (£800–£2,000 to address).
TD (2009–2013) — Engine options included the 1.6 Petrol. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Subframe mounting point corrosion (£800–£2,000 to address).
The load-bearing structure around subframe and suspension mounting points suffers from premature corrosion on this generation. MOT data shows this model fails at 18.2 times the national fleet average for structural defects in prescribed areas around suspension mountings. The issue affects the metal framework that transfers suspension loads to the main bodyshell. This is a safety-critical structural failure that can lead to suspension collapse.
If mounting points fail completely, suspension components can detach from the vehicle while driving, causing immediate loss of control. Repair typically requires welding new metal sections or replacing the entire subframe mounting area. Total repair costs can exceed £2,000 and may not be economically viable on older examples.
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.
Brake pipes and hoses suffer from accelerated corrosion, with MOT failure rates 13.7 times higher than the fleet average for pipe corrosion and 27.6 times higher for hose ferrule corrosion. The brake lines are particularly vulnerable to salt corrosion where they run along the underside of the vehicle. Both steel brake pipes and the metal ferrules that connect flexible hoses deteriorate rapidly on this model.
Brake line failure causes complete brake system failure with no stopping ability. This represents an immediate danger to occupants and other road users. The vehicle should not be driven if brake line corrosion is suspected. Emergency repairs may be possible but full brake line replacement is often required.
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.
The hydraulic power steering system suffers from pump failure and fluid leaks at a rate 80.8 times higher than the national fleet average. The power steering pump develops internal seal failures, leading to fluid loss and complete steering assistance failure. This is particularly problematic on the 1.6 petrol variants where the pump is driven directly from the engine and operates under high pressure.
Complete steering assistance failure makes the vehicle difficult to control, especially at low speeds or when parking. Continued driving with a failed pump can damage the steering rack. Total system replacement costs £800-1,500 depending on what components have failed.
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.
Suspension components suffer from excessive corrosion damage at 21.9 times the national fleet average. The steel suspension arms, links, and mounting brackets corrode rapidly, particularly where they are exposed to road salt and spray. This affects both front and rear suspension components and can compromise vehicle handling and safety.
Severely corroded suspension components can fail suddenly, leading to loss of vehicle control. Weakened suspension arms or links affect wheel alignment and tyre wear. Complete suspension component replacement may be required if corrosion is extensive.
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.
Suspension bushes and joints wear at 14.2 times the national fleet average, with dust covers failing at 32 times the average rate. The rubber bushes in suspension arms, anti-roll bar links, and subframe mounts deteriorate rapidly. Missing or split dust covers on ball joints and track rod ends allow contamination that accelerates wear of the internal components.
Worn suspension bushes cause poor handling, increased tyre wear, and noise over bumps. Missing dust covers lead to contamination and rapid failure of ball joints and track rod ends. Multiple bush replacement is often required simultaneously as they tend to wear at similar rates.
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.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Kia Cerato common problems page.
Based on 7k real DVSA MOT tests, the Kia Cerato fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is body panel damage at 97x the fleet average, followed by power steering fault (81x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Kia Cerato MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt (£300–£450).
See the full Kia Cerato service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Kia Cerato has some well-documented weak points, including 2 safety-critical issues 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.
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 Cerato, 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 Cerato issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.