Is the Kia Soul ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 24,078 MOT tests, around 51% of Kia Souls still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 34% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 15%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 62% diesel, 31% petrol, 7% electric. Diesel Souls are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged. Every petrol Soul in the data (2009 onwards) is likely to be compliant. Electric Souls are always compliant.
- Likely compliant
- 51%
- Likely charged
- 34%
- Depends on the car
- 15%
- MOT tests analysed
- 24,078
Check a specific Soul
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
Soul ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many Souls of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel | Petrol | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | – | – | Compliant869 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant147 tested | Likely compliant170 tested | Compliant29 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant545 tested | Likely compliant1,031 tested | Compliant401 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant887 tested | Likely compliant619 tested | Compliant202 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant1,434 tested | Likely compliant578 tested | Compliant140 tested |
| 2015 | Check exact car1,845 tested | Likely compliant678 tested | Compliant103 tested |
| 2014 | Check exact car1,818 tested | Likely compliant834 tested | Compliant14 tested |
| 2013 | Likely charged895 tested | Likely compliant412 tested | – |
| 2012 | Likely charged1,147 tested | Likely compliant494 tested | – |
| 2011 | Likely charged2,759 tested | Likely compliant690 tested | – |
| 2010 | Likely charged2,194 tested | Likely compliant827 tested | – |
| 2009 | Likely charged1,189 tested | Likely compliant1,083 tested | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the Soul
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015). Electric versions always comply.
- Diesel (62% of Souls tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Petrol (31% of Souls tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
- Electric (7% of Souls tested): always compliant.
Souls from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (15% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Kia can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how Souls fare at the MOT too: see the Kia Soul MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Kia Soul for London: what the MOT data shows
The Kia Souls in this data were first registered between 2009 and 2020. 2011 was the most common year, with 3,449 tests (14% of the total), and half were registered in 2014 or later.
Souls from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 77% of the time, at an average of 52,784 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 59% of the time with 82,970 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest diesel Souls likely to comply are from 2016. 1,434 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 84% of the time and averaged 46,154 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the Soul's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were steering: "ball joint has excessive play" (6.8% of tests); lights and electrics: "not working" (4.4%); suspension: "ball joint excessively worn" (2.9%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 15.1% of tests.
Overall, 71% of Souls passed first time, roughly in line with the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 63,720 miles on average, fewer than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Kia models
About this data
Based on 24,078 first MOT tests of the Kia Soul carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 24,078 MOT tests say about the Kia Soul and London's ULEZ.
Is the Kia Soul ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 51% of Souls on the road are likely compliant and 34% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol Soul years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol Souls first registered from 2009 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel Soul ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel Souls from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific Soul is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- Buying a used car · 5 min readUsed car buying checklist: 25 checks before you payA step-by-step checklist for buying a used car, from the checks you can do at home to what to look at on the day and the paperwork you need.Read the guide
Is your Soul ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.