Kia Sedona MOT pass rate and common problems
62.3% of 7,779 Kia Sedona MOT tests pass.
The Sedona passes 62.3% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Kia models (80.1%).
The Kia Sedona passes 62.3% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Kia Sedona?
This is the average across every Kia Sedona in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Kia’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 67.8% at 10–15 years to 58.8% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (10) | 10 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (2) | 2 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 67.8% | 3,041 | 88,611 miles |
| 15+ years | 58.8% | 4,726 | 107,198 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Kia Sedona
The most common reason the Kia Sedona fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 64.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 64.9% | Not working |
| Brakes | 52.8% | Excessively binding |
| Suspension | 52.6% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Body, chassis, structure | 21.2% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Visibility | 16.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 15.9% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Steering | 12.7% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 7.7% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.8% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Road Wheels | 2.1% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Kia Sedona: what to check
These checks follow the Kia Sedona’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Kia Sedona comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 67.8% to 58.8%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 67.8% down to 59.3%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 64.9% of failed Kia Sedona MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 52.8% of failed Kia Sedona MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 52.6% of failed Kia Sedona MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 21.2% of failed Kia Sedona MOTs. 12.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 4.9% at 10–15 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 16.9% of failed Kia Sedona MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Kia service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Kia models
- Kia Carens — 70.5% pass rate
- Kia Optima — 84.0% pass rate
- Kia Proceed — 84.0% pass rate
- Kia Stinger — 91.8% pass rate
- Kia Sportage Platinum — 91.3% pass rate
- Kia Sportage GTLN — 94.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Kia Sedona?
- 62.3% of Kia Sedona MOT tests pass, based on 7,779 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Kia Sedona?
- The most common reason the Kia Sedona fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 64.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Kia Sedona?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Kia Sedona are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Kia Sedona?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; bodywork and corrosion; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Kia Sedona's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Kia service history guide for how to check and keep one.