Used Kia Ceed Ireland: Tax, Warranty & Checks

The third-generation Kia Ceed, dropping the apostrophe from the old cee'd name, went on sale in Ireland in August 2018 as a five-door hatchback, with the Ceed Sportswagon estate following that autumn and the ProCeed shooting brake in 2019. Its biggest selling point for a used Kia Ceed in Ireland is the warranty: Kia Ireland's 7-year or 150,000km cover runs from first registration and, according to Kia's own terms, transfers to each new owner until it expires, with no forms to complete. Many cars from 2020 onwards are still inside it, and Kia Ceed motor tax runs from €140 to €280 a year depending on the version.

Below: versions sold here, tax by version, the warranty for second owners, the recall on record, NCT timing and eight checks before you pay.

Which used Kia Ceed versions were sold in Ireland?

Ceed 2018 to 2021. Irish prices were announced in June 2018 with three engines, each tied to a trim: a 1.0-litre T-GDi turbo petrol with 120hp, a 1.6-litre CRDi diesel with 115hp and a 1.4-litre T-GDi petrol with 140hp, the last only in the top K5 trim. An Irish launch review noted that only the 115hp diesel came here. Trims ran K2 to K5. Forward Collision Assist, Lane Keep Assist, High Beam Assist, Driver Attention Warning and a reversing camera were standard on every Irish Ceed; K3 added LED lights, wireless phone charging and parking sensors, and K5 added heated and ventilated seats and blind-spot warning.

Ceed Sportswagon. The estate was reviewed with Irish prices in October 2018 with the 1.0 T-GDi in K3 trim. A plug-in hybrid Sportswagon followed in November 2020, reaching showrooms in December. It pairs a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 44.5kW electric motor and an 8.9kWh battery for 141hp, with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic and a claimed 60km of electric range (NEDC).

ProCeed. The sleeker shooting brake was sold here in GT Line trim only, with the 1.4 T-GDi and a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic. An Irish review in May 2019 noted there was no diesel ProCeed in Ireland.

Ceed 2021 on (facelift). Kia announced the update in July 2021, with European sales from the fourth quarter. It listed a new front end and badge, LED headlights on all models, a 12.3-inch digital cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen and Blind-spot Collision-Avoidance Assist. Kia Ireland's 2021/2022 price list shows the updated Ceed with a 1.0 petrol, a 1.6 diesel and the Sportswagon plug-in hybrid.

Boot space. The hatchback has 395 litres, the Sportswagon 600 litres, the plug-in hybrid Sportswagon 437 litres and the ProCeed 594 litres.

How much is Kia Ceed motor tax?

Cars registered in Ireland from January 2008 to December 2020 are taxed on the older CO2 bands: A2 (81 to 100 g/km) €180, A3 (101 to 110) €190, B1 (121 to 130) €270 and B2 (131 to 140) €280. Cars registered from January 2021 use WLTP bands: €140 for 1 to 50 g/km, €190 for 111 to 120 and €200 for 121 to 130. The CO2 figure on the Vehicle Registration Certificate decides the band.

Kia Ceed registered 2018 to 2020 (older table)

1.6 CRDi 115hp hatchback, 99 g/km (manual with Eco Pack): band A2, €180 a year
1.0 T-GDi hatchback, 127 g/km: band B1, €270 a year
1.0 T-GDi Sportswagon, 128 g/km: band B1, €270 a year
ProCeed 1.4 T-GDi GT Line, 132 g/km: band B2, €280 a year

Another Irish launch review quoted 101 g/km for the diesel, which would mean band A3 at €190, so check the certificate.

Kia Ceed registered 2021 on (WLTP table, Kia Ireland figures)

Ceed Sportswagon plug-in hybrid, 29 g/km: €140 a year
1.6 diesel K2, 118 g/km: €190 a year
1.0 petrol GT-line, 126 g/km: €200 a year
1.6 diesel GT-line, 130 g/km: €200 a year

Kia Ireland's 2024 price list still showed the 1.0 GT-line at 127 g/km and €200 a year. A plug-in hybrid first registered in December 2020 is taxed on the older table, so read its certificate.

Kia Ceed motor tax per year in Ireland by version — Kia Ceed motor tax by version, using published CO2 figures

Petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid: which Ceed suits Irish driving?

1.0 T-GDi petrol. Official economy is 5.5 l/100km in the hatchback and 5.6 in the Sportswagon. Irish reviewers noted slight vibration through the pedals at idle when cold, a big gap between first and second gear, and steering that felt heavy on the open road.

1.6 CRDi diesel. The pick for long motorway commutes. The launch car was rated at 3.8 l/100km and €180 a year to tax, though an Irish review found the gear change less slick than rivals and the 115hp version noisier in the cabin.

Sportswagon plug-in hybrid. Worth a look if you can charge at home and mostly drive short trips. It has the lowest Kia Ceed motor tax, €140 a year for a 2021-on car, but the battery cuts boot space from 600 to 437 litres.

ProCeed 1.4 T-GDi. The style choice, but the dearest pre-2021 version to tax at €280. An Irish review noted road noise and reduced rear headroom.

Kia's 7-year warranty for a second owner

What it covers. Kia Ireland's warranty runs for 84 months or 150,000km from first registration, whichever comes first, and covers production or assembly faults. Some parts have shorter cover: audio and navigation units 36 months or 100,000km, paint 60 months or 150,000km, and the 12V battery 24 months. Wear items such as brake pads, clutch components and wiper blades are excluded. The plug-in hybrid's high-voltage battery is covered for the full 7 years or 150,000km.

Does it transfer? Yes. Kia Ireland states the warranty passes to each new owner until it expires, with no forms to complete, provided the car was maintained regularly. A Kia dealer service is not required: an independent garage using genuine parts, or parts of equivalent quality, will not affect the warranty. Missed servicing is excluded, so ask for every invoice.

The timeline. A Ceed first registered in 2018 is now outside the seven years; a 2020 car stays covered until its seventh registration anniversary in 2027, if under 150,000km. Kia Ireland's terms apply to cars bought from an authorised Kia dealer and registered and normally used in Ireland, so ask Kia Ireland about cover before buying an import.

What should I watch for on a used Kia Ceed?

Recall on record

In January 2025 the Road Safety Authority listed a Kia Ireland recall of certain Ceed and XCeed models built between 3 December 2019 and 14 August 2023, 1,167 vehicles in the Republic of Ireland. The circuit board in the hydraulic clutch actuator can become contaminated with fluid and short-circuit, which could cause an engine-compartment fire while driving. Ask whether the work was done, and confirm with Kia Ireland Customer Care on (01) 649 7458 using the VIN.

Safety rating

Euro NCAP tested the Ceed in 2019 and gave it four stars with standard equipment, or five stars with an optional safety pack. The rating covers the hatchback, Sportswagon, ProCeed and XCeed.

Space and comfort

An Irish review found hatchback rear legroom slightly less than the previous model's, and the Sportswagon review called it "fine, but nothing more than fine".

Used Kia Ceed checklist: 8 checks before you pay

What should I check before buying a used Kia Ceed in Ireland?

CO2 and tax: read the CO2 figure on the Vehicle Registration Certificate and match it to the correct pre-2021 or WLTP table.
NCT certificate: compare its recorded mileages; falling or inconsistent readings can signal clocking.
History and finance: run a vehicle history check and make sure any hire purchase or PCP finance is cleared.
Warranty dates: confirm first registration date and mileage to see how much cover is left.
Service record: look for a stamped service book and invoices at the intervals Kia sets; missed servicing is excluded from cover.
Recalls: on cars built December 2019 to August 2023, confirm the clutch actuator recall was done.
Plug-in hybrid: check the charging cable is present and the car runs on electric power.
Test drive: start it cold, feel for vibration at idle and try the gear change.

When does a Kia Ceed need an NCT?

Cars first need an NCT at four years old, then every two years until their tenth-anniversary test, and every year after that. A Ceed first registered in 2018 had its first test in 2022, and the earliest cars move to yearly tests after their tenth-anniversary test in 2028.

The RSA lists the most common fail items across all cars as worn tyres, faulty brake lines, seat belts, exhaust condition and defective suspension. Over 80% of four-year-old cars pass first time, against below 40% for cars aged ten or more.

Verdict: is a used Kia Ceed a good buy in Ireland?

For most buyers, yes, especially if the car is still inside its seven years. The warranty passes to you automatically, independent servicing is allowed with the right parts, and the pre-2021 1.6 diesel and 2021-on plug-in hybrid are cheap to tax, at €180 and €140 a year. Check the registration date, service record and recall status before you pay. If you are also weighing up a hybrid hatchback, read our Toyota Corolla Ireland buyer guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much is Kia Ceed motor tax in Ireland?

From €140 to €280 a year. On cars registered 2018 to 2020, the 1.6 diesel was rated at 99 g/km (€180) and the 1.0 T-GDi at 127 g/km (€270). From 2021, Kia Ireland lists the 1.6 diesel K2 at €190, the 1.0 petrol GT-line at €200 and the Sportswagon plug-in hybrid at €140.

Does the Kia 7-year warranty transfer to a second owner?

Yes. Kia Ireland says the 7-year or 150,000km warranty, counted from first registration, transfers to each new owner until it expires, with no forms, as long as the car was serviced regularly.

Do I have to service a used Kia Ceed at a Kia dealer to keep the warranty?

No. Kia Ireland says an independent garage can service the car without affecting the warranty, provided genuine Kia parts or parts of equivalent quality are used and the service intervals are followed.

Has the Kia Ceed been recalled in Ireland?

Yes. In January 2025 the RSA listed a recall of 1,167 Ceed and XCeed models built between December 2019 and August 2023 over the hydraulic clutch actuator circuit board. Call Kia Ireland Customer Care on (01) 649 7458 with the VIN.

Was there a plug-in hybrid Kia Ceed in Ireland?

Yes, the Ceed Sportswagon plug-in hybrid, launched here in November 2020 with 141hp and an 8.9kWh battery. Kia Ireland lists it at 29 g/km and €140 a year in motor tax.

Buying or selling? Use Ecosteer

Ecosteer lists petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric cars side by side, so you can compare a used Kia Ceed with other family cars in one search. Prices move week to week, so compare current listings on ecosteer.ie. Selling a car under €3,000? Private sellers list it on Ecosteer completely free. Our guide on how to sell a car under €3,000 in Ireland covers the logbook and motor tax steps. Create your free Ecosteer account.

Kia Ceed Ireland Buyer Guide: 7-Year Warranty Passes to the Next Owner