Used car guide

2004 Kia Sorento: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Kia Sorentos, from 346 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 346 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

346MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
5,400typical miles a year
3×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

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

  • Chassis rust or damage3× usual
    Kia Sorento
    12.1% All 2004 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 1.2% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

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

  • Wheel bearings3.1× usual
    Kia Sorento
    11.8% All 2004 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Body structure rust or damage3.1× usual
    Kia Sorento
    10.7% All 2004 cars
    3.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

  • Brake pads2× usual
    Kia Sorento
    14.2% All 2004 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

By area

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

  • Brakes
    46% 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.

  • Suspension
    45% 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
    44% 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
    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
    26% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    18% 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.

Looking at a Kia Sorento?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023277Tyres 14%
20222,172Tyres 22%
20212,464Tyres 23%
20201,166Tyres 26%
20192,755Tyres 29%
20182,714Tyres 27%
20173,100Tyres 29%
20163,116Tyres 30%
20153,914Suspension 32%
20142,832Suspension 41%
20132,035Suspension 44%
20121,766Suspension 52%
20111,471Suspension 58%
20101,654Suspension 55%
20091,045Suspension 50%
2008699Suspension 52%
2007876Suspension 54%
20061,239Suspension 51%
2005657Suspension 50%
2003124Brakes 53%

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