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Kia Carens buying guide (Ireland, 2026)
What a used Kia Carens costs in Ireland, how it does at the NCT, what goes wrong and what it costs to fix. Based on 54 for sale right now.
Our take on the Kia Carens
Most for sale are diesels (76%), which suit longer, regular drives; for mostly short trips a petrol is the safer buy. At the NCT, the 2013–2019 cars fail more often than other cars the same year, so a fresh NCT is worth paying a little more for. The 1.7 diesel is the most common engine (100% of those with a known engine), and it usually lasts around 320k km.
Check a Kia Carens's priceNCT pass rate by year
Used Kia Carens prices by year
Typical asking price by registration year, and typical mileage. Private sellers usually take 5–10% less than asking; expect dealers to be a little dearer.
| Year | Typical price | Typical mileage | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | €11,500 | 184k km | 9 |
| 2017 | €11,000 | 130k km | 13 |
| 2016 | €9,000 | 178k km | 13 |
| 2015 | €6,100 | 172k km | 9 |
Kia Carens NCT pass rate
How often Kia Carenses pass their NCT first time, compared with other cars the same year (Road Safety Authority (RSA), NCT make & model data 2025, initial tests).
| Year | Pass first time | Other cars, same year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 62% | 74% | |
| 2017 | 50% | 64% | |
| 2016 | 36% | 55% | |
| 2015 | 41% | 53% | |
| 2014 | 43% | 51% | |
| 2013 | 39% | 46% |
Most common reasons a 2016 Kia Carens fails: steering & suspension (31% of tests, more than most cars), wheel alignment (28.7% of tests, more than most cars), lights & electrics (21.8% of tests, more than most cars), brake test (rollers) (14.9% of tests, more than most cars).
Common Kia Carens problems
Known weak spots to check before you buy, with typical Irish garage costs if the problem is there.
Clutch / dual mass flywheel wear (CRDi) · €700–€1,200
High biting point, slipping in higher gears or judder pulling off.
Timing belt history · €350–€700
Ask when the timing belt and water pump were last done (usually every 160,000 km or 5–6 years). No proof = budget for it.
Engines and how long they last
| Engine | Usually lasts | Motor tax / year | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.7 Diesel | ~320k km | ~€270 | 23 |
"Usually lasts" is the mileage these engines commonly reach before major work; service history matters more than the number.
Parts for the Kia Carens
Parts from AUTODOC Ireland: pick your car on the parts page to get the right fit.
Brake discsBrake padsClutch kitsTiming belt kitsShock absorbersWheel bearingsTrack rod endsFiltersWiper bladesHeadlight bulbsGlow plugsEGR valves
Quick bits on Amazon
Faster delivery for small things.
Wiper bladesBulbsBatteryOBD2 fault code readerJump starter
Before you buy a used Kia Carens
Run a history check on the reg (write-off, finance owing, mileage), ask when the timing belt was done and for receipts, and start it from cold yourself. The used car checklist takes you through a viewing step by step.
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