2006 Kia Sorento — MOT failures & pass rate
15,770 MOT tests on the 2006 Kia Sorento are in this dataset, and 67.8% of them passed. That is 8.0 percentage points worse than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 24.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.2%) and brakes (16.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are integral vehicle structure condition, headlamp aim and component mounting prescribed areas — integral vehicle structure condition alone was recorded 1,448 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 37.4% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 37.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.1% in 2021 to 30.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 2,865 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.5% | 2,602 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.0% | 2,370 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.3% | 1,779 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.8% | 1,075 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.2% | 818 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 1,448 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,437 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,190 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,119 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 1,091 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 1,031 |
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 | 37.2% | 5,862 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.3% | 5,099 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.9% | 3,772 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.5% | 3,081 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.5% | 2,598 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.0% | 2,361 |
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 | 43 | 20.9% |
| 30-60k | 559 | 19.5% |
| 60-90k | 2,757 | 27.5% |
| 90-120k | 5,889 | 32.3% |
| 120-150k | 4,597 | 34.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,911 | 37.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 15,594 | 32.2% |
| Petrol | 176 | 33.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,944 | 32.1% |
| 2022 | 3,989 | 32.9% |
| 2023 | 3,045 | 32.3% |
| 2024 | 2,252 | 32.6% |
| 2025 | 1,540 | 30.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Sorento
On a 2006 Sorento, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (16.5% 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 (15.0% 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 2006 Kia Sorentos pass their MOT?
67.8% of the 15,770 2006 Kia Sorento MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Kia Sorento?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.2% of tests, followed by brakes (16.5%).
Does the 2006 Sorento get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.9% in the 0-30k band to 37.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,770 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.