2012 Kia Soul — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,614 MOT tests analysed for the 2012 Kia Soul, the most common recorded failure areas were steering, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 75.1% was below the average for cars of a similar age (79.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.7% in the 150k+ group versus 13.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steering | 10.2% | 1,081 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.1% | 1,076 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 960 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.1% | 750 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.5% | 582 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.9% | 413 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 1,195 |
| 2 | Ball joint dust cover | 493 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 370 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 350 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 321 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 300 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 30.7% | 3,261 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.5% | 2,918 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.1% | 1,816 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.8% | 1,042 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.3% | 773 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 6.8% | 721 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 563 | 13.3% |
| 30-60k | 3,108 | 20.9% |
| 60-90k | 4,193 | 25.9% |
| 90-120k | 2,008 | 30.0% |
| 120-150k | 593 | 30.3% |
| 150k+ | 145 | 31.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,473 | 25.3% |
| Petrol | 3,141 | 23.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,107 | 21.7% |
| 2022 | 2,162 | 24.3% |
| 2023 | 2,146 | 24.8% |
| 2024 | 2,121 | 26.5% |
| 2025 | 2,078 | 27.2% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Soul
Before buying a 2012 Kia Soul, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Steering accounted for 10.2% of tests for this year.
- Steering (10.2% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Suspension (10.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (9.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2012 Kia Souls pass their MOT?
75.1% of the 10,614 2012 Kia Soul MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Kia Soul?
Steering, recorded in 10.2% of tests, followed by suspension (10.1%).
Does the 2012 Soul get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.3% in the 0-30k band to 31.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,614 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.