Kia Sorento Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kia Sorento car check
Is the Kia Sorento reliable? We analysed 738,544 real MOT tests across 54,549 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kia Sorento? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kia Sorento is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kia Sorento.
Kia Sorento Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kia Sorento. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kia Sorento MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kia Sorento to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kia Sorento Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kia Sorento fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kia Sorento Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Kia Sorento models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Kia Sorento Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kia Sorento owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kia Sorento MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kia Sorento year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1,978 | 85.6% | 25,038 | 36,624 | 50,323 |
| 2019 | 14,339 | 86.2% | 25,799 | 37,004 | 51,333 |
| 2018 | 17,443 | 86.8% | 28,764 | 42,053 | 59,520 |
| 2017 | 24,445 | 85.1% | 32,526 | 47,302 | 65,719 |
| 2016 | 28,063 | 82.8% | 36,316 | 52,701 | 73,751 |
| 2015 | 40,690 | 82.1% | 39,254 | 57,719 | 80,451 |
| 2014 | 34,260 | 80.9% | 42,347 | 62,666 | 86,916 |
| 2013 | 28,974 | 78.7% | 45,886 | 68,783 | 94,992 |
| 2012 | 30,146 | 75.6% | 48,602 | 73,364 | 100,374 |
| 2011 | 29,682 | 75.3% | 49,936 | 76,220 | 104,032 |
| 2010 | 38,086 | 74.7% | 50,350 | 78,264 | 106,533 |
| 2009 | 34,942 | 74.2% | 47,578 | 72,517 | 98,039 |
| 2008 | 33,454 | 73.3% | 49,313 | 74,812 | 100,590 |
| 2007 | 56,238 | 73.4% | 50,644 | 77,393 | 103,707 |
| 2006 | 103,763 | 71.7% | 53,352 | 80,526 | 108,536 |
| 2005 | 89,163 | 70.9% | 53,876 | 80,895 | 108,883 |
| 2004 | 87,052 | 69.5% | 55,551 | 83,531 | 111,776 |
| 2003 | 43,587 | 69.2% | 57,980 | 86,292 | 115,077 |
How Long Does a Kia Sorento Last?
Based on 54,549 Kia Sorento vehicles on UK roads.
Kia Sorento Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kia Sorento MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Kia Sorento
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.8% MOT pass rate from 17,443 tests
69.2% MOT pass rate from 43,587 tests
The best year to buy a used Kia Sorento is 2018, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.8% across 17,443 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kia Sorento Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Sorento THIS CAR | 74.8% | 738,544 | 72,039 mi | 23 yrs |
| Kia Sportage | 80.4% | 2,634,551 | 53,679 mi | 26 yrs |
| Kia Picanto | 77.1% | 2,626,043 | 39,084 mi | 22 yrs |
| Kia Ceed | 76.1% | 1,665,385 | 60,630 mi | 19 yrs |
| Toyota Celica | 71.3% | 870,417 | 95,660 mi | 36 yrs |
Compared to the Kia Sportage (80.4% pass rate) and the Kia Picanto (77.1% pass rate), the Kia Sorento trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Kia Sorento you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Kia SorentoShould you buy a used Kia Sorento?
The Kia Sorento has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.8% across 738,544 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Kia Sorento are brake pipe excessively corroded (12,793 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (12,141), and position lamp(s) not working (9,455). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Kia Sorento with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Kia Sorento owner drives around 7,199 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Kia Sorento models stay on UK roads for around 23 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.