2018 Kia Sorento MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 82.5% of Kia Sorentos first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 8,226 Sorento first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, brakes and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Kia Sorentos first used in 2018 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2018 Kia Sorento MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Sorentos first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Sorento figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 Sorento | All cars first used 2018 | Sorento first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88.1% | 87.6% | 2,799 |
| 2022 | 86.8% | 86.3% | 2,810 |
| 2023 | 84.4% | 84.2% | 2,771 |
| 2024 | 83.0% | 82.5% | 2,742 |
| 2025 | 82.5% | 80.9% | 2,713 |
Common 2018 Kia Sorento MOT failures
Share of the 1,373 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 19.4% | 266 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 11.4% | 157 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 10.6% | 145 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 8.2% | 113 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | 8.2% | 112 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Sorento in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension arm replacement | £150 | £120–£180 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2018 Kia Sorento before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
Common 2018 Kia Sorento MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 Sorentos, as a share of all 8,226 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 16.4% | 1,346 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 15.5% | 1,278 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 6.4% | 524 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 5.1% | 417 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 4.8% | 398 |
Questions about the 2018 Kia Sorento MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 Kia Sorento?
In 2025, 82.5% of Sorentos first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 Sorento most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 28.9% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (25.6%) and suspension (22.8%). The single most common item was “Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick” (19.4%).
How often does a 2018 Kia Sorento fail its MOT?
In 2025, 17.5% of first tests on Sorentos first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 15.1% failed, and a further 2.4% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,373 of 8,226 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 Kia Sorento MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 16.4% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (15.5%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (6.4%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (5.1%) and “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (4.8%).
Is a 2018 Kia Sorento reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 88.1% in 2021 to 82.5% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2018 Sorento?
The numbers above cover every Sorento first used in 2018 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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