2004 Kia Sorento — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,741 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Kia Sorento, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 65.5% was below the average for large SUVs of a similar age (74.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 37.0% in the 150k+ group versus 25.3% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.5% | 1,117 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.8% | 1,077 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.7% | 1,075 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.3% | 704 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 7.4% | 424 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.1% | 348 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 659 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 649 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 625 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 461 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 456 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 415 |
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 | 39.4% | 2,264 |
| 2 | Suspension | 36.1% | 2,075 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.8% | 1,424 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.1% | 1,094 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 1,075 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.0% | 802 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 237 | 25.3% |
| 60-90k | 817 | 30.0% |
| 90-120k | 2,032 | 34.3% |
| 120-150k | 1,760 | 36.9% |
| 150k+ | 864 | 37.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,459 | 34.8% |
| Petrol | 282 | 29.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,123 | 35.1% |
| 2022 | 1,506 | 33.7% |
| 2023 | 1,004 | 35.6% |
| 2024 | 680 | 34.8% |
| 2025 | 428 | 31.5% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Sorento
Before buying a 2004 Kia Sorento, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 19.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (19.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (18.8% 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 (18.7% 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 2004 Kia Sorentos pass their MOT?
65.5% of the 5,741 2004 Kia Sorento MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Kia Sorento?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.5% of tests, followed by brakes (18.8%).
Does the 2004 Sorento get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.3% in the 30-60k band to 37.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,741 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.