Kia Sorento: what fails at MOT
53,000 MOT tests on the Kia Sorento in 2024, counted. 27.2% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
27.2% of Kia Sorento tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 25.7%, so the Sorento is about average for its age.
It fails most often on suspension (6.4% of tests), lights and electrics (6.3% of tests) and brakes (6.1% of tests). It fails on brakes and steering more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,683 | 11.9% | 10.9% | 27,300 21,000 to 35,900 |
| 2020 | 1,672 | 15.4% | 11.5% | 32,600 23,800 to 42,100 |
| 2019 | 4,445 | 14.3% | 13.4% | 40,500 30,500 to 51,900 |
| 2018 | 4,440 | 15.2% | 15.6% | 50,700 37,800 to 64,200 |
| 2017 | 4,894 | 15.3% | 18.2% | 58,700 45,400 to 72,200 |
| 2016 | 4,431 | 21.8% | 21.3% | 68,400 53,700 to 84,800 |
| 2015 | 5,782 | 23.1% | 24.4% | 76,200 60,000 to 94,600 |
| 2014 | 3,962 | 29.8% | 27.7% | 83,600 65,700 to 103,800 |
| 2013 | 2,977 | 33.5% | 30.6% | 93,900 74,400 to 113,600 |
| 2012 | 2,454 | 39.4% | 33.4% | 103,200 83,900 to 124,100 |
| 2011 | 2,257 | 40.1% | 36.1% | 107,000 87,700 to 129,500 |
| 2010 | 2,342 | 40.4% | 38.6% | 112,500 94,600 to 134,200 |
| 2009 | 1,439 | 44.9% | 39.8% | 107,400 89,200 to 125,400 |
| 2008 | 1,155 | 46.1% | 41.5% | 108,400 88,700 to 125,200 |
| 2007 | 1,944 | 42.1% | 41.5% | 112,500 91,300 to 131,000 |
| 2006 | 2,607 | 47.1% | 42.4% | 117,300 95,900 to 138,200 |
| 2005 | 1,397 | 46.7% | 42.2% | 117,600 94,500 to 138,600 |
| 2004 | 702 | 50.6% | 42.3% | 113,000 92,800 to 134,200 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Kia Sorento tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Sorento | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 6.4% | 5.5% |
| Lights and electrics | 6.3% | 6.9% |
| Brakes More than most | 6.1% | 4.2% |
| Tyres | 3.7% | 4.2% |
| Steering More than most | 3.0% | 1.2% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.4% | 2.9% |
| Body and structure | 2.2% | 2.1% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 1.2% | 1.9% |
The parts that fail most
- Track rod end2.5%
- Seat belt2.4%
- Brake pads2.1%
- Ball joint2.0%
- Headlamp aim1.7%
- Tyre tread1.6%
- Brake test1.6%
- Side light1.6%
- Wipers1.4%
- Headlamp1.3%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.2%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.0%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.8%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
- Side light: not working1.5%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.2%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn1.2%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.1%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge13.2%
- Brake pads: wearing thin7.9%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material4.5%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.5%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.3%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.5%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive3.0%
- Coil spring: corroded2.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
Check a Kia Sorento's own MOT record
Looking at a Sorento? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.