2009 Kia Sedona — MOT failures & pass rate
3,873 MOT tests on the 2009 Kia Sedona are in this dataset, and 73.2% of them passed. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (27.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests against 12.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, position lamp and headlamp — ball joint alone was recorded 203 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.0% versus 12.4%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 41.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 25.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 644 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.2% | 471 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.2% | 393 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.5% | 213 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.2% | 200 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.1% | 158 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 203 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 199 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 190 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 187 |
| 5 | Wipers | 145 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 144 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 41.8% | 1,619 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.3% | 1,252 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.6% | 993 |
| 4 | Other defects | 15.2% | 587 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.7% | 529 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 520 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 97 | 12.4% |
| 30-60k | 658 | 20.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,215 | 24.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,125 | 30.2% |
| 120-150k | 532 | 34.2% |
| 150k+ | 244 | 32.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,823 | 26.8% |
| Petrol | 50 | 28.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 951 | 25.2% |
| 2022 | 877 | 25.7% |
| 2023 | 787 | 27.6% |
| 2024 | 685 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 573 | 28.6% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Sedona
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (10.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2009 Kia Sedonas pass their MOT?
73.2% of the 3,873 2009 Kia Sedona MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Kia Sedona?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests, followed by suspension (12.2%).
Does the 2009 Sedona get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.4% in the 0-30k band to 32.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,873 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.