At a Glance
The Kia Sorento has 48 identified common problems across 4 generations, with the Mk1 (2003-2009) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 529K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Kia Sorento common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Kia Sorento generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Kia Sorento Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Mk1
Top issue: Parking brake performance below minimum
Mk2
Top issue: Parking brake performance below minimum
Mk3
Top issue: Headlamp washer not working
Mk4
Most common MOT failure: Wiper blades deteriorated
Most Common Kia Sorento MOT Failures
Every reason Kia Sorento vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 11.33% |
| 2 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.84% |
| 3 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 6.81% |
| 4 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 6.53% |
| 5 | Brake pads or linings worn | 5.47% |
| 6 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.27% |
| 7 | Stop lamp not working | 5.16% |
| 8 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 4.91% |
| 9 | Front lamp not working | 4.83% |
| 10 | Track rod end worn | 4.29% |
| 11 | Tyre condition | 4.08% |
| 12 | Position lamp not working | 3.04% |
| 13 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 2.94% |
| 14 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.24% |
| 15 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.15% |
| 16 | Headlamp fault | 1.98% |
| 17 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.77% |
| 18 | Exhaust system fault | 1.07% |
| 19 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.96% |
| 20 | Driveshaft fault | 0.95% |
| 21 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.95% |
| 22 | Steering rack fault | 0.92% |
| 23 | Brake disc or drum worn | 0.88% |
| 24 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.88% |
| 25 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.83% |
| 26 | Fog lamp not working | 0.78% |
| 27 | Front suspension fault | 0.71% |
| 28 | Airbag warning light on | 0.64% |
| 29 | Chassis condition | 0.62% |
| 30 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.61% |
| 31 | Parking brake condition | 0.61% |
| 32 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.59% |
| 33 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.56% |
| 34 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.54% |
| 35 | ABS fault | 0.53% |
| 36 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.49% |
| 37 | Rear lamp not working | 0.36% |
| 38 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.35% |
| 39 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.33% |
| 40 | Seat belt condition | 0.32% |
| 41 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.30% |
| 42 | Brake pedal fault | 0.30% |
| 43 | Indicator fault | 0.27% |
| 44 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.26% |
| 45 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.21% |
| 46 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.16% |
| 47 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.16% |
| 48 | Engine oil leak | 0.16% |
| 49 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.14% |
| 50 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.13% |
| 51 | Horn not working | 0.11% |
| 52 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.10% |
| 53 | Brake lever fault | 0.10% |
| 54 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.09% |
| 55 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.09% |
| 56 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.09% |
| 57 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.09% |
| 58 | Brake fluid leak | 0.08% |
| 59 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.08% |
| 60 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.08% |
| 61 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.08% |
| 62 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.08% |
| 63 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.07% |
| 64 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.07% |
| 65 | Brake caliper fault | 0.06% |
| 66 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.06% |
| 67 | Power steering ram fault | 0.06% |
| 68 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.05% |
| 69 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.05% |
| 70 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 71 | Propshaft fault | 0.04% |
| 72 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.04% |
| 73 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.04% |
| 74 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.04% |
| 75 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.04% |
| 76 | Driver door fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Front passenger door fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | Spare wheel fault | 0.04% |
| 79 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Drag link end worn | 0.03% |
| 81 | Exhaust leak | 0.03% |
| 82 | Towbar fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | Driver airbag fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Electrical switch fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.03% |
| 86 | Axle corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 87 | Transmission oil leak | 0.02% |
| 88 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.02% |
| 89 | Steering arm worn | 0.02% |
| 90 | Steering lock fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 92 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 95 | Rear suspension fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Steering free play excessive | 0.02% |
| 97 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.02% |
| 99 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.02% |
| 101 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | 0.01% |
| 103 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.01% |
| 104 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.01% |
| 105 | Passenger seat fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.01% |
| 107 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.01% |
| 108 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.01% |
| 109 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 110 | Brake servo fault | 0.01% |
| 111 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.01% |
| 112 | Body security fault | 0.01% |
| 113 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.01% |
| 114 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 115 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 118 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 119 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Steering operation fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 123 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 124 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 125 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 128 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 129 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 130 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 132 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 133 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 135 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 138 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 142 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 147 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 151 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 152 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 155 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 158 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 164 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 165 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 167 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 168 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 171 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 172 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 175 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 180 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 181 | Passenger hand grip fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 183 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Kia Sorento MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Kia Sorento, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Kia Sorento problems?
Based on analysis of 529K Kia Sorento MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 48 identified common problems across 4 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Parking brake performance below minimum". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Kia Sorento generation has the most problems?
The Kia Sorento Mk1 (2003-2009) (2003–2009) has the highest number of identified common problems (57). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Kia Sorento?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Kia Sorento owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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