Kia Niro Common Faults in the UK
first generation 2016–2022 and second generation 2022–on — family crossover, sold as hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric. Updated 6 October 2026.
This guide covers the first generation 2016–2022 and second generation 2022–on. For any other version of the Niro, see how to check any car for known faults.
The Kia Niro’s recalls are the story, and they concentrate on the first-generation hybrid. DVSA lists three on its hydraulic clutch actuator and power relay, the largest (R/2025/059) covering Niros built October 2015 to June 2022, and one on the e-Niro’s coolant leak. What Car? ranked the Niro first of 12 used electric and hybrid cars in 2023, and it passes the MOT level with or above cars of the same age. Kia UK covers a new Niro for seven years or 100,000 miles.
Largest DVSA recall for the Niro: R/2025/059, 51,667 vehicles — Kia Niro HCA Fuse Replacement.
91.0% of Kia Niros pass the MOT first time, 1.9 points better than the national average for cars of the same age (89.1%). Counted from 10,881 DVSA tests on cars registered 2017–2023; a pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure.
Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a first-time pass; DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. Compared against cars of the same registration years, because pass rates otherwise mostly measure how old a model's surviving fleet is.
See it by registration year and by mileage ↓No asking-price figure is shown: we give the median and middle 80% of asking prices only when at least 10 cars on Autoza qualify — here, Kia Niro cars registered from 2016. The road tax line comes from GOV.UK's vehicle tax rate tables (2026/27 rates). The fuel economy tile names the source it rests on or says there is no sourced figure, and the insurance tile gives no figure. We do not publish a UK price index, and no figure here should be quoted as one.
Best and worst years to buy
We name a year as a best or worst buy only where the DVSA MOT table further down does not rate it the other way.
These two registration years are rated above all cars registered the same year on DVSA’s MOT table (by 4.8 and 3.9 points), and first-generation hybrids built after September 2017 are outside the earlier clutch-actuator and relay recalls (R/2018/207 and R/2019/167). They remain inside R/2025/059, whose fuse change applies to Niros built up to June 2022.
No year is named. Hybrid Niros built from 1 November 2016 to September 2017 are inside three DVSA recalls on the hydraulic clutch actuator and main power relay (R/2018/207, R/2019/167 and R/2025/059) where later hybrids are inside one, but each is a free dealer visit, 2017 registrations are level with all cars registered that year on the MOT table, and the table has no 2016 row. Ask for the dealer record for each recall on an early hybrid.
Known faults — Kia Niro first generation 2016–2022 and second generation 2022–on
How to read this list. Items marked Safety recall are DVSA safety recalls, shown with DVSA’s own reference. Whether a particular car is affected depends on when it was built: check it by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check. Items marked Warranty terms state what the manufacturer’s UK warranty or battery guarantee covers. They are not faults and not service actions: they carry no severity and no repair cost. Everything else in this list is owner-reported: what the UK publication named on each card reports from its owner surveys and tests. Those are worth checking on a viewing, but we hold no count of how many cars have each one, other than any survey share a card itself quotes. Treat an owner-reported item as a question to ask, not a fault this car has.
Hydraulic clutch actuator — fuse change (fire risk)
- Symptoms
- DVSA wording: the printed circuit board in the hydraulic clutch actuator (HCA) may become contaminated with fluid, which may lead to an electrical short circuit and, in extreme cases, a fire in the engine compartment while driving. The car is checked for stored fault codes; if HCA codes are found the actuator, its connector and a reduced-amperage fuse are fitted, otherwise only the fuse. DVSA files it under “Niro” without naming the powertrain.
- Years affected
- DVSA lists Niros built 26 October 2015 to 16 June 2022; check the car by registration
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under recall
- What to check before buying
- Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record. Ask for the dealer record showing the fuse (and the actuator, if codes were found) was done.
Second generation — instrument cluster software and driveshaft
- Symptoms
- For R/2023/211, DVSA wording: instrument-cluster software and electrical noise at start-up may cause cluster booting errors; the digital cluster software is upgraded. For R/2024/163: an improperly treated driveshaft may break under load, resulting in a loss of drive; the driveshaft is replaced.
- Years affected
- Niro HEV built 14 September 2022 to 22 March 2023 (R/2023/211) and Niro SG2 built 27 June 2023 to 28 July 2023 (R/2024/163)
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under recall
- What to check before buying
- Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record.
DVSA’s counts, recall by recall: R/2023/211 6,996 (every model in the recall); R/2024/163 583.
Hybrid — clutch actuator housing burrs and main power relay (earliest cars)
- Symptoms
- For R/2018/207, DVSA wording: burrs in the inner hydraulic clutch actuator housing can damage the oil seal, so oil leaks, the HEV warning light shows and an electrical short that could be a fire risk may occur. For R/2019/167: reduced contact pressure on the main relays causes heat build-up in the main power relay assembly; the relays are replaced and the assembly checked for heat damage.
- Years affected
- Niro Hybrid built 1 November 2016 to 11 September 2017 (R/2018/207) and 1 November 2016 to 19 September 2017 (R/2019/167)
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under recall
- What to check before buying
- Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record. What Car? lists both among the Niro’s most common problems, so ask for the dealer record for each.
DVSA’s counts, recall by recall: R/2019/167 5,021 (every model in the recall); R/2018/207 5,012 (every model in the recall).
Electric power control unit — coolant leak (e-Niro)
- Symptoms
- DVSA wording: a potential coolant leak in the electric power control unit could cause a loss of power whilst driving. The unit is inspected and replaced if a leak is found.
- Years affected
- e-Niro built 16 June 2020 to 4 December 2020
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under recall
- What to check before buying
- Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record.
Electronics — minor infotainment glitches (e-Niro and Niro EV)
- Symptoms
- What Car? says a small number of owners mentioned minor electrical glitches, such as infotainment problems, on the electric Niro; most owners reported very few mechanical issues, and quick, efficient fixes by Kia dealers.
- Years affected
- 2019–2022 e-Niro and 2022-on Niro EV
- What to check before buying
- Pair a phone, use the navigation and the reversing camera, and check every screen menu responds before you buy.
Cover — seven-year warranty and battery capacity cover
- Symptoms
- Not a fault. Kia UK’s terms give a new car 7 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, from first registration: unlimited mileage for the first 36 months, then 100,000 miles to month 84. The warranty transfers to each new owner while it has not expired, and the electric and plug-in hybrid battery cover is against capacity falling below 70% for 84 months or 100,000 miles on cars registered up to 31 December 2023.
- Years affected
- All, counted from first registration
- What to check before buying
- The mileage cap, not the years, usually decides a used claim: from month 37 the 100,000-mile limit applies. Work out the dates from the registration on the V5C, ask for the service history, and confirm the cover with a Kia dealer using the VIN, because Kia’s terms set different battery terms for cars registered from 1 January 2024.
Kia Niro MOT results by year and mileage
Measured from DVSA’s own MOT test records for tests carried out in 2025, not from owner reports.
By registration year
Against all cars registered in the same year, the MOT pass rate for the Niro was higher in 3 and level in 3 of the 6 registration years from 2017 to 2022 with enough tests to measure. The widest gap above is 2018 registrations: 89.3% against 84.5%.
| Registered | Niro | All cars that year | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20222,764 tests | 92.0% | 91.2% | +0.8 level |
| 20212,884 tests | 91.9% | 90.1% | +1.8 higher |
| 20202,108 tests | 89.8% | 88.7% | +1.1 level |
| 20191,144 tests | 90.8% | 86.9% | +3.9 higher |
| 2018825 tests | 89.3% | 84.5% | +4.8 higher |
| 2017450 tests | 85.1% | 82.2% | +2.9 level |
By mileage at the test
Against cars of the same age on the same mileage, the pass rate for the Niro was higher in 1 and level in 1 of the 2 mileage bands with enough tests. How other models compare at the same mileage.
Show the table by mileage (2 bands)
| Mileage | Niro | Same age and mileage | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20k–40k3,238 tests | 91.0% | 90.3% | +0.8 level |
| 40k–60k2,328 tests | 88.4% | 86.5% | +1.9 higher |
Only a major or dangerous defect fails an MOT. A minor defect is recorded on the certificate and the car still passes, and an advisory is not a failure at all.
We don’t give a recall count for the Kia Niro: whether a recall applies depends on the individual car. Check the one you are looking at by entering its registration on GOV.UK’s vehicle recall checker, and see how to check a car for known faults for the other free checks.
Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a first-time pass; DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Odometer readings below 100 or above 400,000 miles are discarded as misreadings, and cars under three years old are excluded because no MOT is yet due. Sampled from nine months of 2025 (January, February, April, May, July, August, September, October and November). Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. Registration years shown are cars 3 to 12 years old when tested; the smallest rests on 450 tests. A gap is called level when it is under one percentage point or inside the 95% sampling margin for that number of tests. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Who this car suits — and who should look elsewhere
Families who want a roomy hybrid or electric crossover with a long warranty, and who will check that the clutch-actuator and relay work was done on a first-generation hybrid.
Anyone who buys a 2016–2017 hybrid without the dealer record for its recalls, or assumes the warranty is still running without checking the registration date.
Alternatives to consider
If the Kia Niro doesn't suit, these comparable models are worth a look in the UK market:
Kia Niro: questions buyers ask
What are the most common faults on a used Kia Niro in the UK?
The Kia Niro’s recalls are the story, and they concentrate on the first-generation hybrid. DVSA lists three on its hydraulic clutch actuator and power relay, the largest (R/2025/059) covering Niros built October 2015 to June 2022, and one on the e-Niro’s coolant leak. What Car? ranked the Niro first of 12 used electric and hybrid cars in 2023, and it passes the MOT level with or above cars of the same age. Kia UK covers a new Niro for seven years or 100,000 miles.
What is the best year to buy a used Kia Niro in the UK?
Best-buy years: 2018, 2019. These two registration years are rated above all cars registered the same year on DVSA’s MOT table (by 4.8 and 3.9 points), and first-generation hybrids built after September 2017 are outside the earlier clutch-actuator and relay recalls (R/2018/207 and R/2019/167). They remain inside R/2025/059, whose fuse change applies to Niros built up to June 2022.
What years of Kia Niro should I avoid in the UK?
No specific year of the first generation 2016–2022 and second generation 2022–on Kia Niro is generally avoided. No year is named. Hybrid Niros built from 1 November 2016 to September 2017 are inside three DVSA recalls on the hydraulic clutch actuator and main power relay (R/2018/207, R/2019/167 and R/2025/059) where later hybrids are inside one, but each is a free dealer visit, 2017 registrations are level with all cars registered that year on the MOT table, and the table has no 2016 row. Ask for the dealer record for each recall on an early hybrid.
How much does a used Kia Niro cost in the UK in 2026?
This page gives no figure at the moment: Autoza quotes asking prices only when at least 10 qualifying cars are advertised with a price — here, Kia Niro cars registered from 2016. Prices vary by mileage, region and trim, so compare several adverts of the same year and mileage band before negotiating.
What is the road tax (VED) on a Kia Niro in the UK?
Annual road tax (VED): £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. A car registered from April 2017 with a list price over £40,000 when new adds the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 (£640 in all). Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates). Electric versions: one first registered from 1 April 2025 pays the £440/year supplement in years 2–6 only if it listed at over £50,000 new; one registered before then never does, whatever it cost.
What real-world fuel economy does a Kia Niro achieve on UK roads?
What Car? recorded 253 miles of real-world range from the 64 kWh e-Niro (its September 2024 update) and lists the ordinary hybrid’s efficiency as a drawback; it gives no real-world mpg for the hybrid, so we print none.
How does a Kia Niro compare to its rivals?
Strong alternatives in the UK: Hyundai Kona, Toyota C-HR, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Leaf. Choose based on dealer network in your area, parts availability, and your priorities (running cost vs. cabin quality vs. badge).
Who is the Kia Niro most suitable for?
Families who want a roomy hybrid or electric crossover with a long warranty, and who will check that the clutch-actuator and relay work was done on a first-generation hybrid.
Who should NOT buy a Kia Niro?
Anyone who buys a 2016–2017 hybrid without the dealer record for its recalls, or assumes the warranty is still running without checking the registration date.
Are there safety recalls on the Kia Niro?
DVSA lists 6 safety recalls for the Kia Niro that this guide shows or names, the largest first: R/2025/059 (51,667 vehicles, built between 26 October 2015 and 16 June 2022): Kia Niro HCA Fuse Replacement; R/2023/211 (6,996 vehicles in the whole recall, built between 14 September 2022 and 22 March 2023): A combination of the instrument cluster software and electrical noise while the vehicle is starting may result in cluster booting errors; R/2019/167 (5,021 vehicles in the whole recall, built between 1 November 2016 and 19 September 2017): A reduction of contact pressure on the main relays causes heat build up in the main power relay assembly. Whether a particular car is affected depends on its build date and VIN, so check its registration on GOV.UK (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy.
Is the Hydraulic clutch actuator — fuse change (fire risk) on the Kia Niro a serious problem?
Hydraulic clutch actuator — fuse change (fire risk) on the Kia Niro is covered by DVSA safety recall R/2025/059. Symptoms: DVSA wording: the printed circuit board in the hydraulic clutch actuator (HCA) may become contaminated with fluid, which may lead to an electrical short circuit and, in extreme cases, a fire in the engine compartment while driving. The car is checked for stored fault codes; if HCA codes are found the actuator, its connector and a reduced-amperage fuse are fitted, otherwise only the fuse. DVSA files it under “Niro” without naming the powertrain. Years affected: DVSA lists Niros built 26 October 2015 to 16 June 2022; check the car by registration. Indicative repair cost in the UK: Free under recall. What to check before buying: Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record. Ask for the dealer record showing the fuse (and the actuator, if codes were found) was done.
Check these next
The guide above is about the Kia Niro as a model. These are about the car in front of you.
- Browse Kia Niro listings on AutozaEvery one listed now.
- Check any car by its registrationFree: its MOT history, tax status and any open recall, from a number plate.
- Work out the road tax for the NiroVehicle tax (VED) by registration date, CO2 and list price.
- Work out the monthly paymentExamples for a car loan or hire purchase by price, deposit, term and APR.
- What is your Niro worth?A price range from dealers' asking prices for comparable cars.
Looking to buy a Kia Niro in the UK?
Search Autoza listings filtered by year, mileage, and region. Every dealer page shows the business name, address and contact details, so you can check the business before you enquire.