Is the Kia Sorento reliable?

The Kia Sorento has an average MOT pass rate of 77% across 18 years, based on 64,738 tests in 2026. That's 5 points below the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2020 with a 92% pass rate.

Which year Kia Sorento is best?

The 2020 Kia Sorento has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 65%. There's a 27 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Kia Sorento

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 18 years from 64,738 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

77%

Total Tests

64,738

Best Year

2020 (92%)

Years Covered

About the Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento has been tested 64,738 times in 2026 MOT data across 18 model years (2003 to 2020), with an average pass rate of 77%. That's 5 points below the national average of 82%, so check the year-by-year data carefully before buying. Available as diesel and petrol.

Best and Worst Years

The 2020 model is the most reliable with a 92% pass rate from 797 tests. The 2004 model has the lowest at 65%. With a 27 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer KIA SORENTOs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 15 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (2003) averages 120,995 miles, while the newest (2020) averages 36,475 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Kia brand average of 86%, the Sorento is 9 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Kia models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2199cc)

£1,245

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,695

Per month£141/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2020 details

How reliable is the Kia Sorento?

vs national average-5% (82% avg)

vs Kia brand average-9% (86% avg)

Best to worst year spread27 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Kia Sorento by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2020	92%	797	36,475 mi
2019	90%	5,231	43,737 mi
2018	89%	5,394	52,871 mi
2017	88%	5,869	60,803 mi
2016	84%	5,714	72,775 mi
2015	83%	7,581	79,583 mi
2014	79%	5,512	87,900 mi
2013	77%	4,199	97,498 mi
2012	75%	3,653	105,666 mi
2011	75%	3,283	110,486 mi
2010	73%	3,463	113,933 mi
2009	72%	2,396	107,820 mi
2008	70%	1,936	108,273 mi
2007	72%	2,670	112,654 mi
2006	67%	3,595	117,298 mi
2005	66%	1,973	116,648 mi
2004	65%	1,065	115,317 mi
2003	65%	407	120,995 mi