Kia Sorento MOT pass rate and common problems
76.9% of 57,947 Kia Sorento MOT tests pass.
At 76.9%, the Sorento passes slightly less often than the average across all Kia models (80.1%).
At 76.9%, the Kia Sorento passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Kia Sorento?
This is the average across every Kia Sorento 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 drops sharply with age: the Kia Sorento tested at 0–3 years pass 92.2% of the time, compared with just 60.6% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 92.2% | 3,208 | 27,613 miles |
| 3–6 years | 88.8% | 11,108 | 42,214 miles |
| 6–10 years | 81.9% | 20,399 | 71,275 miles |
| 10–15 years | 67.7% | 13,638 | 103,632 miles |
| 15+ years | 60.6% | 9,594 | 113,569 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Kia Sorento
The most common reason the Kia Sorento fails its MOT is brakes — present in 46.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 46.7% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Suspension | 45.1% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 42.7% | Not working |
| Tyres | 21.0% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Body, chassis, structure | 16.1% | Or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting |
| Steering | 15.2% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Visibility | 12.3% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 6.9% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.5% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Road Wheels | 1.4% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Kia Sorento: what to check
These checks follow the Kia Sorento’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 Sorento comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 81.9% to 67.7%. 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: 78.5% down to 67.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Brakes
Recorded in 46.7% of failed Kia Sorento MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 34.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
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.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 45.1% of failed Kia Sorento MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 32.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
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.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 42.7% of failed Kia Sorento MOTs. 29.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 6.3% at 0–3 years.
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.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 21.0% of failed Kia Sorento MOTs. 7.6% of tests at 10–15 years failed on tyres, against 3.0% at 0–3 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 16.1% of failed Kia Sorento MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 19.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
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.
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 Rio — 75.6% pass rate
- Kia Niro — 91.4% pass rate
- Kia Venga — 79.3% pass rate
- Kia Stonic — 91.6% pass rate
- Kia Soul — 76.9% pass rate
- Kia Xceed — 90.9% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Kia Sorento?
- 76.9% of Kia Sorento MOT tests pass, based on 57,947 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Kia Sorento?
- The most common reason the Kia Sorento fails its MOT is brakes — present in 46.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
- What are the common problems with the Kia Sorento?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Kia Sorento are brakes; suspension; lights and electrics. Rare on young cars, but 34.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Kia Sorento?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: brakes; suspension; lights and electrics; tyres; bodywork and corrosion. 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 Sorento'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.