2013 Kia Sorento — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 13,706 MOT tests, the 2013 Kia Sorento recorded a 76.9% pass rate. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 16.4% of the time, so this is 6.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in steering, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — steering (8.7%) and suspension (7.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, tread depth and brake pads — track rod end alone was recorded 1,231 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.1% in the 0-30k band and 31.0% in the 150k+ band, a 20.9-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 20.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steering | 8.7% | 1,191 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.8% | 1,062 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 6.8% | 936 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.5% | 891 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.1% | 693 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.9% | 400 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 1,231 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 443 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 433 |
| 4 | Linkage ball joints | 408 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 365 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 268 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 26.7% | 3,657 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.7% | 3,384 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.3% | 2,501 |
| 4 | Other defects | 13.1% | 1,798 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.9% | 1,218 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.1% | 833 |
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 | 168 | 10.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,028 | 13.0% |
| 60-90k | 4,921 | 21.3% |
| 90-120k | 4,294 | 26.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,734 | 30.1% |
| 150k+ | 558 | 31.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,729 | 20.3% |
| 2022 | 2,749 | 21.4% |
| 2023 | 2,787 | 23.5% |
| 2024 | 2,781 | 25.2% |
| 2025 | 2,660 | 25.3% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Sorento
On a 2013 Sorento, steering is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Steering (8.7% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Suspension (7.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2013 Kia Sorentos pass their MOT?
76.9% of the 13,706 2013 Kia Sorento MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Kia Sorento?
Steering, recorded in 8.7% of tests, followed by suspension (7.8%).
Does the 2013 Sorento get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.1% in the 0-30k band to 31.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,706 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.