2003 Kia Sorento — MOT failures & pass rate
1,845 MOT tests on the 2003 Kia Sorento are in this dataset, and 66.2% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 25.4% of the time, so this is 8.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (19.6%) and suspension (18.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and integral vehicle structure condition — headlamp aim alone was recorded 240 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.9% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 36.7% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 37.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 35.5% in 2021 to 29.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.6% | 361 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.1% | 334 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.9% | 330 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.4% | 211 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 7.5% | 138 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.1% | 112 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 240 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 228 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 177 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 169 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 135 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 134 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 37.3% | 689 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.2% | 630 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.4% | 414 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.3% | 356 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.5% | 342 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.2% | 281 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 74 | 18.9% |
| 60-90k | 275 | 27.6% |
| 90-120k | 611 | 34.0% |
| 120-150k | 568 | 36.6% |
| 150k+ | 313 | 36.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,670 | 33.9% |
| Petrol | 175 | 32.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 707 | 35.5% |
| 2022 | 488 | 35.4% |
| 2023 | 307 | 31.3% |
| 2024 | 196 | 30.1% |
| 2025 | 147 | 29.9% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Sorento
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (18.1% 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 (17.9% 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 2003 Kia Sorentos pass their MOT?
66.2% of the 1,845 2003 Kia Sorento MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Kia Sorento?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.6% of tests, followed by suspension (18.1%).
Does the 2003 Sorento get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.9% in the 30-60k band to 36.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,845 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.