2010 Kia Sedona — MOT failures & pass rate
5,754 MOT tests on the 2010 Kia Sedona are in this dataset, and 74.5% of them passed. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (25.9% 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
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.6%) and suspension (11.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, coil spring and position lamp — ball joint alone was recorded 370 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.1% versus 11.0%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 32.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 22.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 782 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.9% | 685 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.5% | 604 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.8% | 276 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.6% | 265 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.9% | 224 |
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 | 370 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 292 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 280 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 276 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 263 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 224 |
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 | 32.5% | 1,869 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.8% | 1,655 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.5% | 1,411 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.8% | 679 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 667 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.8% | 624 |
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 | 182 | 11.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,010 | 18.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,716 | 23.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,602 | 29.1% |
| 120-150k | 907 | 31.4% |
| 150k+ | 336 | 30.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,682 | 25.4% |
| Petrol | 72 | 26.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,214 | 22.4% |
| 2022 | 1,234 | 24.2% |
| 2023 | 1,198 | 26.8% |
| 2024 | 1,118 | 27.3% |
| 2025 | 990 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Sedona
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.9% 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 (10.5% 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 2010 Kia Sedonas pass their MOT?
74.5% of the 5,754 2010 Kia Sedona MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Kia Sedona?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.6% of tests, followed by suspension (11.9%).
Does the 2010 Sedona get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.0% in the 0-30k band to 30.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,754 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.