MOT failure data · 2025
Kia Sorento MOT problems
Across every Kia Sorento that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was track rod end ball joint has excessive play, on 5.28% of failure items. The broadest problem area was suspension at 24.44%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.
Most common Kia Sorento MOT failures
| # | Recorded defect | Area | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end ball joint has excessive play | Steering | 5.28% |
| 2 | Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 5.19% |
| 3 | Ball joint ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 5% |
| 4 | Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 4.75% |
| 5 | Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 4.41% |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 3.43% |
| 7 | Position lamp not working | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2.77% |
| 8 | Condition has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 2.74% |
| 9 | Condition has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 2.67% |
| 10 | Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively | Visibility | 2.59% |
Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.
What this means if you are buying one
Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Kia Sorento, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.
The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Kia Sorento buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.
Checking a specific Kia Sorento?
Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.
Other Kia models
- Kia Sportage MOT problems
- Kia Picanto MOT problems
- Kia Ceed MOT problems
- Kia Niro MOT problems
- Kia RIO MOT problems
- Kia Venga MOT problems
Kia Sorento MOT FAQs
What does a Kia Sorento most commonly fail its MOT on?
The single most recorded defect on Kia Sorento cars failing their 2025 MOT was "track rod end ball joint has excessive play", appearing on 5.28% of failure items.
Does this mean my Kia Sorento will fail?
No. This is what testers recorded across every Kia Sorento that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Kia Sorento passed 75.48% of its initial tests.
How do I see a specific Kia Sorento's MOT history?
Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.
See also: Kia Sorento MOT pass rate · used Kia Sorento buying guide · free MOT history check
Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.