2018 Kia Sorento — MOT failures & pass rate
15,379 MOT tests on the 2018 Kia Sorento are in this dataset, and 89.2% of them passed. That is effectively the same as large SUVs of a similar age (10.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.0%) and brakes (3.2%) 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 491 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 17.6% once past 120-150k — 2.9× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 23.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 7.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.0% | 617 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.2% | 489 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.6% | 404 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 378 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.3% | 355 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 104 |
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 | 491 |
| 2 | Wipers | 358 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 337 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 276 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 229 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 182 |
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 | 23.0% | 3,537 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.7% | 2,727 |
| 3 | Other defects | 9.8% | 1,509 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.7% | 1,190 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.3% | 508 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.3% | 196 |
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 | 4,379 | 6.2% |
| 30-60k | 7,576 | 11.8% |
| 60-90k | 2,805 | 14.2% |
| 90-120k | 509 | 15.7% |
| 120-150k | 85 | 17.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,012 | 7.4% |
| 2022 | 3,071 | 9.0% |
| 2023 | 3,119 | 11.8% |
| 2024 | 3,088 | 12.5% |
| 2025 | 3,089 | 13.1% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Sorento
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.0% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.0% 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 (3.2% 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 (2.6% 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 2018 Kia Sorentos pass their MOT?
89.2% of the 15,379 2018 Kia Sorento MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Kia Sorento?
Tyres, recorded in 4.0% of tests, followed by brakes (3.2%).
Does the 2018 Sorento get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.2% in the 0-30k band to 17.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,379 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.