Used car guide

2004 Kia Sedona: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Kia Sedonas, from 145 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 145 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

145MOT tests in 2025
43%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
5,000typical miles a year
5.6×the usual rate for suspension arm

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Kia Sedonas than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Suspension arm5.6× usual
    Kia Sedona
    22.8% All 2004 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9%, against 0.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.3× usual
    Kia Sedona
    22.1% All 2004 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11%, against 2.9% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

By area

The share of 2004 Kia Sedona MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    60% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    48% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    39% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    28% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Rust and bodywork
    27% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    23% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Kia Sedona?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2012143Suspension 42%
2011659Suspension 42%
2010760Suspension 48%
2009435Suspension 57%
2008698Suspension 59%
2007605Suspension 60%
2006357Suspension 52%
2005241Suspension 44%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Kia Sedonas registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score