2017 Kia Sorento — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2017 Kia Sorento passed 86.6% of its 17,791 recorded MOT tests. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 11.3% of the time, so this is 2.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.8%) and brakes (4.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, wipers and headlamp aim — brake pads alone was recorded 689 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.0% in the 0-30k band and 16.4% in the 150k+ band, a 8.4-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 10.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.8% | 861 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.1% | 727 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.5% | 617 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.3% | 579 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.6% | 458 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 145 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 689 |
| 2 | Wipers | 455 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 385 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 381 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 359 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 283 |
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 | 24.7% | 4,388 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.4% | 3,623 |
| 3 | Other defects | 9.5% | 1,697 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.5% | 1,688 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.5% | 619 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 241 |
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 | 2,570 | 8.0% |
| 30-60k | 9,118 | 12.9% |
| 60-90k | 4,732 | 15.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,119 | 18.1% |
| 120-150k | 191 | 21.5% |
| 150k+ | 61 | 16.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,504 | 10.8% |
| 2022 | 3,535 | 12.8% |
| 2023 | 3,600 | 14.0% |
| 2024 | 3,544 | 14.0% |
| 2025 | 3,608 | 15.4% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Sorento
On a 2017 Sorento, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (4.1% 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 (3.5% 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 2017 Kia Sorentos pass their MOT?
86.6% of the 17,791 2017 Kia Sorento MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Kia Sorento?
Tyres, recorded in 4.8% of tests, followed by brakes (4.1%).
Does the 2017 Sorento get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.0% in the 0-30k band to 16.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,791 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.