2004 Kia Sorento — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,741 MOT tests, the 2004 Kia Sorento recorded a 65.5% pass rate. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 25.2% of the time, so this is 9.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (19.5%) and brakes (18.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, integral vehicle structure condition and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 659 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 25.3% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 37.0% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 39.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 35.1% in 2021 to 31.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.5% | 1,117 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.8% | 1,077 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.7% | 1,075 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.3% | 704 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 7.4% | 424 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.1% | 348 |
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 | 659 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 649 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 625 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 461 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 456 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 415 |
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 | 39.4% | 2,264 |
| 2 | Suspension | 36.1% | 2,075 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.8% | 1,424 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.1% | 1,094 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 1,075 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.0% | 802 |
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 | 237 | 25.3% |
| 60-90k | 817 | 30.0% |
| 90-120k | 2,032 | 34.3% |
| 120-150k | 1,760 | 36.9% |
| 150k+ | 864 | 37.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,459 | 34.8% |
| Petrol | 282 | 29.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,123 | 35.1% |
| 2022 | 1,506 | 33.7% |
| 2023 | 1,004 | 35.6% |
| 2024 | 680 | 34.8% |
| 2025 | 428 | 31.5% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Sorento
On a 2004 Sorento, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (18.8% 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 (18.7% 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 2004 Kia Sorentos pass their MOT?
65.5% of the 5,741 2004 Kia Sorento MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Kia Sorento?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.5% of tests, followed by brakes (18.8%).
Does the 2004 Sorento get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.3% in the 30-60k band to 37.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,741 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.