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Kia Sorento reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 319,197 MOT tests of cars first registered 2003–2022.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
68.0%pass first time
−0.3 ptsvs typical car
Beats 49%of cars
319,197MOT tests

Verdict

The Kia Sorento passes its MOT first time on 68.0% of tests, about the same as a typical car of the same age and mileage (68.3%). That puts it ahead of 49% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2015 Sorento does best (beats 61% of cars) and the 2006 worst (beats 44%).

Of its engines, the 2.2 Diesel does best (beats 53%) and the 2.5 Diesel worst (beats 43%).

Better than average on tyres, visibility, emissions & leaks.

Watch these weak spots

Brakes1.5×as often as a typical car
Steering2.0×as often as a typical car
Handbrake performance2.2×as often as a typical car
Track rod ends2.2×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

40%50%60%70%80%90%3456789101112131415161718192085%83%78%70%62%55%51%51%51%
Kia SorentoTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2003
Beats 37%
2004
Beats 35%
2005
Beats 43%
2006
Beats 44%
2007
Beats 48%
2008
Beats 44%
2009
Beats 47%
2010
Beats 49%
2011
Beats 44%
2012
Beats 40%
2013
Beats 53%
2014
Beats 59%
2015
Beats 61%
2016
Beats 55%
2017
Beats 54%
2018
Beats 67%
2019
Beats 46%
2020
Beats 40%
2021
Beats 61%
2022
Beats 67%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel2010–2021206,35374.6%Beats 53%C
2.5 Diesel2003–2010102,00552.6%Beats 43%C
1.6 Hybrid2020–202210,83987.2%Beats 63%B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 1.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 10.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 12.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 13.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 5.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 11.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 12.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 13.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+1.2 ptsTyres: 5.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.4 ptsBrakes: 11.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−3.6 ptsSuspension: 10.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−0.6 ptsExhaust: 1.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.7 ptsSuspension: 10.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 11.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 5.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 12.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 13.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 1.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 12.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 13.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+1.2 ptsTyres: 5.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.4 ptsBrakes: 11.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−3.6 ptsSuspension: 10.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−0.6 ptsExhaust: 1.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.7 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Brakes: 11.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
12.1% vs 13.3%
Brakes
11.5% vs 7.9%
Suspension
10.8% vs 10.3%
Tyres
5.7% vs 7.2%
Steering
4.4% vs 2.1%
Body & structure
4.2% vs 3.8%
Visibility
4.1% vs 5.2%
Seat belts & airbags
2.3% vs 1.2%
Emissions & leaks
1.9% vs 3.5%
Wheels
0.4% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Handbrake performance 2.2× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Track rod ends 2.2× typical
    Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres.
  • Suspension ball joints 1.7× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Anti-roll bar links 2.3× typical
    A knock or rattle over uneven roads usually means worn anti-roll bar links (cheap to fix).
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

40%60%80%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k93%87%81%74%64%56%51%49%
Kia SorentoTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Handbrake performance5.0%2.2%2.2×
Track rod ends3.4%1.5%2.2×
Headlight aim3.4%3.7%0.9×
Brake pads3.1%2.3%1.4×
Sidelights3.1%3.2%0.9×
Tyre damage & cracking2.9%3.8%0.8×
Suspension ball joints2.8%1.6%1.7×
Tyre tread depth2.7%3.0%0.9×
Windscreen wipers2.4%2.4%1.0×
Headlight bulbs & units2.2%2.5%0.9×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn61.4
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements34.0
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement31.3
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play29.7
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm29.7
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements26.5
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning24.2
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen23.9
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2022 Kia Sorento1 engine88.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Hybrid3,21688.1%Beats 67%B
2021 Kia Sorento2 engines86.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Hybrid5,66087.0%Beats 64%B
2.2 Diesel1,35785.6%Beats 42%C
2020 Kia Sorento2 engines84.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel2,45983.9%Beats 31%D
1.6 Hybrid1,96386.1%Beats 53%C
2019 Kia Sorento1 engine83.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel13,40483.7%Beats 46%C
2018 Kia Sorento1 engine84.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel16,14084.6%Beats 67%B
2017 Kia Sorento1 engine81.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel21,22181.3%Beats 54%C
2016 Kia Sorento1 engine79.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel24,48979.1%Beats 55%C
2015 Kia Sorento1 engine78.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel34,95778.1%Beats 61%B
2014 Kia Sorento1 engine74.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel25,63974.5%Beats 59%C
2013 Kia Sorento1 engine69.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel18,91069.7%Beats 53%C
2012 Kia Sorento1 engine63.8% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel16,96763.8%Beats 40%D
2011 Kia Sorento1 engine61.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel14,89961.7%Beats 44%C
2010 Kia Sorento2 engines59.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel15,91160.1%Beats 50%C
2.5 Diesel1,32757.6%Beats 36%D
2009 Kia Sorento1 engine58.2% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel13,60658.2%Beats 47%C
2008 Kia Sorento1 engine55.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel10,94455.3%Beats 44%C
2007 Kia Sorento1 engine54.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel16,10754.9%Beats 48%C
2006 Kia Sorento1 engine52.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel26,18652.0%Beats 44%C
2005 Kia Sorento1 engine50.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel17,36450.3%Beats 43%C
2004 Kia Sorento1 engine46.7% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel12,32946.7%Beats 35%D
2003 Kia Sorento1 engine46.4% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel4,14246.4%Beats 37%D

FAQ

What is the Kia Sorento MOT pass rate?

68.0% of MOT tests on the Kia Sorento were passed first time, based on 319,197 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2003–2022. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 68.3% of the time.

Is the Kia Sorento reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 49% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Kia Sorento year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2015 Sorento does best for its age and mileage: it beats 61% of cars on UK roads. The 2006 does worst: it beats 44%.

Which Kia Sorento engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.2 Diesel does best: it beats 53% of cars on UK roads. The 2.5 Diesel does worst: it beats 43%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Kia Sorento?

The most common failure items are handbrake performance, track rod ends, headlight aim. Compared with similar cars, handbrake performance comes up 2.2× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.