Used car guide

2009 Kia Sedona: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Kia Sedonas, from 435 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 435 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

435MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
5,600typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Kia Sedonas than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.6× usual
    Kia Sedona
    19.3% All 2009 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
    Kia Sedona
    20.2% All 2009 cars
    11.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 2.3% of all 2009 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3× usual
    Kia Sedona
    12.4% All 2009 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 1.6% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Braking performance2.2× usual
    Kia Sedona
    14% All 2009 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 2.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Suspension arm2.6× usual
    Kia Sedona
    10.1% All 2009 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.4% of all 2009 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.

By area

The share of 2009 Kia Sedona MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    57% 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.

  • Brakes
    43% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    32% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    16% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Steering
    15% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Looking at a Kia Sedona?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2012143Suspension 42%
2011659Suspension 42%
2010760Suspension 48%
2008698Suspension 59%
2007605Suspension 60%
2006357Suspension 52%
2005241Suspension 44%
2004145Suspension 60%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Kia Sedonas registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score