KIA SORENTO Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 1,898 MOT tests from 165 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every KIA SORENTO has the same fault.

KIA SORENTO's have a very good reliability rating of 619/999. The score was calculated from the average of every KIA SORENTO that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the KIA SORENTO.

KIA SORENTO (example)

Check the reliability of your Kia Sorento

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

Service history
Dealer & service records
MOT records
Past & current MOT data
Write-off check
Check for insurance write-offs
Finance check
Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2020	864/999Excellent	176,460 miles	893 vehicles
Diesel	2019	797/999Very good	133,085 miles	1,652 vehicles
Diesel	2016	711/999Very good	85,651 miles	1,814 vehicles
Diesel	2015	669/999Good	96,637 miles	2,592 vehicles
Diesel	2014	635/999Good	90,578 miles	2,608 vehicles
Diesel	2013	604/999Good	88,779 miles	2,389 vehicles
Diesel	2011	472/999Average	81,595 miles	1,114 vehicles
Diesel	2009	448/999Average	84,321 miles	907 vehicles
Diesel	2003	375/999Fair	82,937 miles	1,576 vehicles

How reliable is the KIA SORENTO?

Based on 1,898 MOT tests from 165 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

165

MOT tests

1,898

Pass rate

76.8%

Median mileage

93,433 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every KIA SORENTO has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 654 out of 999.

Common KIA SORENTO MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 373 advisory comments and 40 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 171 advisory comments and 25 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Corrosion

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 186 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Track rod wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 35 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record play or damage at a track rod or track rod end.

What to inspect

Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TRACK ROD END BALL JOINT HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY (2.1.3 (B) (I))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 31 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 29 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 18 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Ball joint wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 8 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn or damaged ball joint. Track rod ends are counted with steering, not here.

What to inspect

Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT EXCESSIVELY WORN (5.3.4 (A) (I))

KIA SORENTO MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2023	5	5	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2022	5	8	100%	Tyre wear
2021	5	19	78.9%	Suspension arm issues, Tyre wear
2019	11	66	86.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	8	63	88.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	10	89	82%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	13	118	77.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	20	217	80.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	15	195	77.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2013	12	161	77%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2012	10	150	71.3%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2011	8	148	70.3%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
2008	7	148	74.3%	Corrosion, Brake pad wear

What to check when buying a used KIA SORENTO

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Track rod wear. Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Ball joint wear. Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

Buying a KIA SORENTO?

Common problems tell you what can affect KIA SORENTOs generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

Browse Other KIA Models

← Back to Reliability Check