2011 Kia Sedona — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,747 MOT tests, the 2011 Kia Sedona recorded a 76.7% pass rate. That is 1.0 percentage points better than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 24.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.1% of all tests — 3.3 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, ball joint and headlamp — service brake performance alone was recorded 232 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.9% in the 0-30k band and 32.3% in the 150k+ band, a 16.4-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 29.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 21.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 623 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.8% | 467 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.2% | 390 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.7% | 225 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.0% | 188 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.3% | 155 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 232 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 223 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 201 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 181 |
| 5 | Wipers | 141 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 136 |
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 | 29.1% | 1,380 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.5% | 1,209 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.8% | 1,131 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 592 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.7% | 508 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.7% | 272 |
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 | 277 | 15.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,104 | 17.0% |
| 60-90k | 1,499 | 23.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,090 | 26.3% |
| 120-150k | 514 | 28.6% |
| 150k+ | 263 | 32.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,715 | 23.3% |
| Petrol | 32 | 28.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,017 | 21.8% |
| 2022 | 953 | 20.2% |
| 2023 | 1,016 | 25.3% |
| 2024 | 911 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 850 | 24.8% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Sedona
On a 2011 Sedona, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.8% 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.
- Suspension (8.2% 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.
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 2011 Kia Sedonas pass their MOT?
76.7% of the 4,747 2011 Kia Sedona MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Kia Sedona?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.1% of tests, followed by brakes (9.8%).
Does the 2011 Sedona get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.9% in the 0-30k band to 32.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,747 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.