Kia Sorento MOT Failures
An analysis of 447,636 real DVSA MOT tests on the Kia Sorento — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: UM (2010–2020).
Where the Kia Sorento fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Kia Sorento is restriction in free movement of the braking system — this model is 213 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 447,636 MOT tests, 0.35% of all Kia Sorento tests recorded this as a failure.
Brake failures on the MOT range from worn pads and discs (routine maintenance) to corroded brake lines and seized calipers (more serious). Check for any pulling under braking and listen for grinding.
Other notable weak points include when fully applied, the parking brake is incapa... (48x the fleet average), transmission joint, belt or chain so worn it is (72x the fleet average), anti-roll bar links worn (56x the fleet average), and parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement (33x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Kia Sorento's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 4 categories: Brakes, Bodywork, Suspension, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Kia Sorento before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Kia Sorento's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Kia Sorento specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are towbar fault (189x the average) and seat mounting fault (34x). structural corrosion (34x) and parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (33x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Kia Sorento specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are restriction in free movement of the braking system (213x the average) and transmission joint, belt or chain so worn it is (72x). fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... (60x) and when fully applied, the parking brake is incapa... (48x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Kia Sorento specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension component fractured or (159x the average) and axle or kingpin wear (116x). restriction in free movement of the braking system (111x) and transmission joint, belt or chain so worn it is (34x) also appear frequently.
The shift from towbar fault at lower mileages to suspension component fractured or at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Kia Sorento specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Engine recall (Theta II) Dangerous
The Theta II petrol engine fitted to some second-generation Sorentos is subject to a critical manufacturer recall due to potential catastrophic engine failure. Affects UM.
Subframe structural corrosion (XM/UM) Dangerous
The first-generation Sorento suffers from severe structural corrosion in the load-bearing areas around subframe, spring, and suspension mounting points. Affects XM/UM; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,500–£3,000.
Turbo failure (UM) Major
The D4HB 2.2-litre diesel engine suffers from turbocharger failures, typically manifesting as bearing wear in the turbo's rotating assembly. Affects UM; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,500.
DPF issues (UM) Major
The diesel particulate filter (DPF) on the D4HB engine blocks with soot if the vehicle is mainly used for short journeys or stop-start driving. Affects UM; typical independent garage repair cost is £500–£1,200.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Kia Sorento common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Kia Sorento
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Kia Sorento:
Brakes — check for restriction in free movement of the braking system, when fully applied, the parking brake is incapa..., parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement. Bodywork — check for transmission joint, belt or chain so worn it is, towbar fault. Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn, suspension component fractured or.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about engine recall and subframe structural corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Kia Sorento?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Kia Sorento MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Kia Sorento?
Based on 447,636 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is restriction in free movement of the braking system — at 213x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include when fully applied, the parking brake is incapa... and transmission joint, belt or chain so worn it is.
Is the Kia Sorento reliable based on MOT data?
The Kia Sorento has 26 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag engine recall as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Kia Sorento most commonly fails on suspension component fractured or and axle or kingpin wear. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are towbar fault and seat mounting fault.
How do I check a Kia Sorento's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.