2006 Kia Sorento — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 15,766 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Kia Sorento, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 67.8% was below the average for large SUVs of a similar age (75.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 37.4% in the 150k+ group versus 20.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 2,864 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.5% | 2,601 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.0% | 2,370 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.3% | 1,778 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.8% | 1,075 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.2% | 817 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 1,448 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,437 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,190 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,119 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 1,089 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 1,031 |
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 | 37.2% | 5,861 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.3% | 5,097 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.9% | 3,771 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.5% | 3,079 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.5% | 2,598 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.0% | 2,361 |
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 | 43 | 20.9% |
| 30-60k | 559 | 19.5% |
| 60-90k | 2,755 | 27.5% |
| 90-120k | 5,887 | 32.3% |
| 120-150k | 4,597 | 34.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,911 | 37.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 15,590 | 32.2% |
| Petrol | 176 | 33.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,944 | 32.1% |
| 2022 | 3,987 | 32.9% |
| 2023 | 3,043 | 32.2% |
| 2024 | 2,252 | 32.6% |
| 2025 | 1,540 | 30.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Sorento
Before buying a 2006 Kia Sorento, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (16.5% 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 (15.0% 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 2006 Kia Sorentos pass their MOT?
67.8% of the 15,766 2006 Kia Sorento MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Kia Sorento?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.2% of tests, followed by brakes (16.5%).
Does the 2006 Sorento get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.9% in the 0-30k band to 37.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,766 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.