2021 Kia Sorento — MOT failures & pass rate
5,302 MOT tests on the 2021 Kia Sorento are in this dataset, and 90.6% of them passed. That is effectively the same as large SUVs of a similar age (8.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.4%) and visibility (4.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and rear fog lamp — wipers alone was recorded 252 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 Sorento fails 8.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 10.0% at 90-120k, a spread of only 1.1 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — hybrid fails 9.4% of the time against 9.7% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 7.3% of tests failed in 2023 against 9.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 233 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.1% | 215 |
| 3 | Tyres | 3.1% | 162 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 45 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.7% | 39 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.4% | 22 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 252 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 98 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 95 |
| 4 | Front fog lamps | 89 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 74 |
| 6 | Front fog lamp switch | 69 |
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 | 19.2% | 1,018 |
| 2 | Other defects | 9.7% | 515 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.2% | 276 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.3% | 173 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.2% | 172 |
| 6 | Suspension | 3.0% | 157 |
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 | 2,261 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 2,606 | 9.8% |
| 60-90k | 367 | 9.5% |
| 90-120k | 50 | 10.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 4,251 | 9.4% |
| Diesel | 1,027 | 9.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 109 | 7.3% |
| 2024 | 2,494 | 9.0% |
| 2025 | 2,664 | 9.9% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Sorento
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 4.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (4.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (4.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (3.1% 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.
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 2021 Kia Sorentos pass their MOT?
90.6% of the 5,302 2021 Kia Sorento MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Kia Sorento?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.4% of tests, followed by visibility (4.1%).
Does the 2021 Sorento get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 10.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,302 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.