Used car guide

2012 Kia Sedona: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Kia Sedonas, from 143 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 143 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

143MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
5,200typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Kia Sedonas than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
    Kia Sedona
    23.1% All 2012 cars
    10.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 2% of all 2012 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 2012 Kia Sedona MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    42% 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
    32% 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
    31% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Steering
    6% 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
2011659Suspension 42%
2010760Suspension 48%
2009435Suspension 57%
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 2012 Kia Sedonas registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score