Perodua Kenari
From 342 MOT tests. Below average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are exhaust system leaking or insecure, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame and spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired. The top issue, exhaust system leaking or insecure, caused 17 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| exhaust system leaking or insecure | 17 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 16 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 15 |
| lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 15 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 15 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 12 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 11 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 11 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 10 |
| a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 9 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 44.3% of Kenari failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 29% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £176.
Perodua Kenari on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 38 scrapped or exported in the past year, a net loss of 38. At this rate, roughly 8.8 years until none remain. Now at 19.3% of its peak (1,821 in 2008 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 196 | 156 | +0 | -14 | -14 |
| 2025 Q2 | 213 | 153 | +0 | -10 | -10 |
| 2025 Q1 | 221 | 155 | +0 | -9 | -9 |
| 2024 Q4 | 231 | 154 | +0 | -5 | -5 |
| 2024 Q3 | 232 | 158 | +0 | -10 | -10 |
| 2024 Q2 | 238 | 162 | +0 | -20 | -20 |
| 2024 Q1 | 256 | 164 | +0 | -10 | -10 |
| 2023 Q4 | 268 | 162 | +0 | -10 | -10 |
2 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenari Gx | Petrol | 111 | 57% |
| Kenari Ez Auto | Petrol | 85 | 43% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
Typical mileage
Half of all Kenaris tested had between 38,623 and 63,754 miles on the clock.
At 53,604 median miles, the Kenari has 0.067 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Perodua models
| Perodua Myvi | 73.2% |
Common questions
What is the Perodua Kenari MOT pass rate?
The Perodua Kenari has a 64% MOT pass rate based on 342 real MOT tests. This is below the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Perodua Kenari?
The most common MOT failure on the Perodua Kenari is exhaust system leaking or insecure, which caused 17 failures. Other common issues include the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired.
How many Perodua Kenaris are on UK roads?
There are 196 Perodua Kenaris currently licensed on UK roads, with 156 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Perodua Kenari at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Perodua Kenari is 53,604 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 38,623 and 63,754 miles.
Buying a used Kenari?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 64% pass rate and an average repair bill of £176 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 44.3% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.