2012 Kia Sedona — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2012 Kia Sedona passed 77.9% of its 924 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (22.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.7% of tests against 8.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, headlamp and tread depth — service brake performance alone was recorded 41 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.2% versus 12.3%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 24.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 18.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 108 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.7% | 80 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.2% | 48 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.3% | 40 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 37 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.9% | 36 |
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 | 41 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 40 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 27 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 26 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 24 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 24 |
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 | 24.9% | 230 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.3% | 215 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.5% | 208 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 117 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.4% | 87 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.4% | 50 |
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 | 106 | 12.3% |
| 30-60k | 329 | 19.1% |
| 60-90k | 265 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 172 | 26.2% |
| 120-150k | 43 | 30.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 179 | 18.4% |
| 2022 | 188 | 19.7% |
| 2023 | 191 | 22.5% |
| 2024 | 179 | 24.0% |
| 2025 | 187 | 25.7% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Sedona
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.7% 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 (5.2% 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 2012 Kia Sedonas pass their MOT?
77.9% of the 924 2012 Kia Sedona MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Kia Sedona?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.7% of tests, followed by brakes (8.7%).
Does the 2012 Sedona get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.3% in the 0-30k band to 30.2% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 924 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.