2005 Kia Sorento — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,326 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Kia Sorento, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 67.3% was below the average for large SUVs of a similar age (75.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.5% in the 150k+ group versus 23.0% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.1% | 1,778 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.9% | 1,578 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.1% | 1,412 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.6% | 1,176 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.4% | 600 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.0% | 558 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 956 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 945 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 925 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 786 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 734 |
| 6 | Chassis condition | 649 |
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 | 36.7% | 3,423 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.2% | 3,190 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.6% | 2,204 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.1% | 1,972 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 1,701 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.1% | 1,128 |
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 | 343 | 23.0% |
| 60-90k | 1,605 | 29.3% |
| 90-120k | 3,447 | 32.8% |
| 120-150k | 2,745 | 35.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,156 | 34.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 8,992 | 32.8% |
| Petrol | 334 | 31.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,288 | 33.5% |
| 2022 | 2,400 | 32.8% |
| 2023 | 1,644 | 31.8% |
| 2024 | 1,170 | 32.8% |
| 2025 | 824 | 31.3% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Sorento
Before buying a 2005 Kia Sorento, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 19.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (19.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (16.9% 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.
- Suspension (15.1% 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.
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 2005 Kia Sorentos pass their MOT?
67.3% of the 9,326 2005 Kia Sorento MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Kia Sorento?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.1% of tests, followed by brakes (16.9%).
Does the 2005 Sorento get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.0% in the 30-60k band to 34.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,326 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.