Kia Ceed during the general inspection – significantly better than before

Used car check
Kia Ceed during the general inspection – significantly better than before

The predecessor performed mixed. But the current edition of the Korean compact model Kia Ceed scores points with the TÜV as a “fairly reliable companion” that hardly allows any slip-ups.

The predecessor was “rather sickly,” according to the “Auto Bild TÜV Report 2025”. But the South Korean manufacturer's compact class – already praised for its driving characteristics when it was introduced – has now also reached a good level in terms of technical reliability.

There are gradations: The current edition is hardly a concern when it comes to the general vehicle inspection (HU), while if you are interested in a used vehicle from the previous generation you should keep an eye on a somewhat longer list of quirks.

Model history

The second generation of the Cee'd launched in 2012, replacing the first generation that had been sold since 2007. The facelift dates from 2015; Above all, it brought new three-cylinder engines.

In 2018, number three came onto the market – now named Ceed without an apostrophe – whose facelift in 2021 featured, among other things, a new radiator grille. For the sake of better readability, this text will henceforth only list the compact of each generation as Ceed.

Body and variants

The XCeed, the model in the guise of a crossover, has been built since 2019. Otherwise, in addition to the hatchback with five doors (Golf format) typical of the compact class, the Korean is and was produced as a station wagon SW (Sportswagon) and as a coupe-like three-door Pro Ceed, which came into the showrooms in 2013. Since 2020, the station wagon has also been available with a plug-in hybrid drive.

Dimensions (according to ADAC)

• 2nd generation: 4.31 m to 4.51 m x 1.78 m x 1.47 m to 1.49 (LxWxH), trunk volume: Pro Ceed: 380 l to 1225 l; Ceed: 380L to 1318L; Ceed SW: 528 l to 1642 l
• 3rd generation: 4.31 m to 4.61 m x 1.80 m x 1.42 m to 1.47 (LxWxH), trunk volume: Pro Ceed: 594 l to 1545 l; Ceed: 395L to 1291L; Ceed SW: 625 l to 1694 l (Plug-in Hybrid: 437 to 1506 l)

Strengthen

The compact from the Korean brand is praised as a fully-fledged family car with good space, which can also be an athlete thanks to the good chassis set-up.

According to “Auto Bild TÜV Report 2025”, springs and dampers are “hardly a concern” during the general vehicle inspection (HU). When it comes to light, the indicators are generally solid and the entire lighting on the latest Ceed. Brake lines and hoses cause almost no trouble regardless of the model year.

With the latest Ceed, the praise extends to the entire braking components. According to the report, the exhaust systems are durable; Oil loss is rare, but it does happen early on.

Weaken

The main drawback of the older Ceed is the axle suspension, which is already noticed as “increasingly negative” after the third check. At the same age of seven, problems with low beam and front and rear lights also began.

Ceed models also have above-average problems with the function of the foot and parking brake; Worn brake discs, on the other hand, already occur in the younger models.

Breakdown behavior

Volatile – that's how you could describe the Ceed's performance in the ADAC breakdown statistics: copies that were first registered between 2012 and 2016 have “medium reliability”.

Those from 2017 and 2018 land in good positions, while younger cars slip back into the middle of the field. The club names the starter battery (2012 to 2017) and the ignition coil on cars first registered in 2012 as the main points of breakdown.

engines

• 2nd generation: petrol engine (three- and four-cylinder with front-wheel drive): 72 kW/99 hp to 150 kW/204 hp; Diesel (four-cylinder with front-wheel drive): 66 kW/90 HP to 100 kW/136 kW
• 3rd generation: petrol engine (three- and four-cylinder with front-wheel drive): 73 kW/99 hp to 150 kW/204 hp; Diesel (four-cylinder with front-wheel drive): 85 kW/115 HP to 100 kW/136 kW; Plug-in hybrid (four-cylinder gasoline engine + electric motor with front-wheel drive): 104 kW/141 hp

Dealer sales value according to the Deutsche Automobil Treuhand (DAT) with statistically expected kilometers – three price examples

• Ceed 1.0 T-GDI Attract (6/2019); 74 kW/101 HP (three-cylinder; Euro 6d-Temp); 65,000 kilometers; 11,417 euros.
• Ceed 1.6 CRDI Vision (6/2017); 100 kW/136 HP (four-cylinder); 125,000 kilometers; 10,744 euros.
• Ceed SW 1.6 T-GDi GT-Line (6/2019); 103 kW/140 hp (four-cylinder); 65,000 kilometers; 17,646 euros.