CarCostCheck

KIA SORENTO (2018)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 5,394 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,192

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2359cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £2192/year to run. 7 points above average.

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Petrol2359cc8 years old5,394 tests53k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2359cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,192
Per month£183/mo
Per week£42/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

89% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the national average of 82%.

At 8 years old, 89% of KIA SORENTOs from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 5,394 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 52,871 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 cars400th of 649(top 62%)
Rank among KIA models256th of 472(top 54%)
vs national average+7%(82% avg)
vs 2018 cars average+0%(89% avg)
vs KIA average+3%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

52,871

Average miles

vs

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2018 KIA SORENTO has 52,871 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 65%. The 2018 sits between the two at 89%.

KIA SORENTO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202092%79736,475 mi
201990%5,23143,737 mi
201889%5,39452,871 mi
201788%5,86960,803 mi
201684%5,71472,775 mi
201583%7,58179,583 mi
201479%5,51287,900 mi
201377%4,19997,498 mi
201275%3,653105,666 mi
201175%3,283110,486 mi
201073%3,463113,933 mi
200972%2,396107,820 mi
200870%1,936108,273 mi
200772%2,670112,654 mi
200667%3,595117,298 mi
200566%1,973116,648 mi
200465%1,065115,317 mi
200365%407120,995 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2018 KIA SORENTO

The 2018 KIA SORENTO is a large car with a 2359cc petrol engine. 5,394 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 52,871 miles at 8 years old, KIA SORENTO owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2018 KIA SORENTO Fuel Costs

The 2359cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2018 KIA SORENTO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,192 183/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

KIA SORENTO Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 2018 KIA SORENTO

At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 92%. With 5,394 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2018 KIA SORENTO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 8 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2018 KIA SORENTO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
KIA SORENTO(2018)89%£1592£195Grp 25-38£2192
VOLVO XC40(2020)93%£1327£190Grp 18-32£1772-£420
JAGUAR F-PACE(2017)90%£1327£190Grp 18-32£1772-£420
FORD MONDEO(2016)87%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£325
VOLVO XC60(2016)86%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£325

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Kia Models

Explore other Kia cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Kia Sorento.

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