Used car guide

2005 Kia Sorento: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Kia Sorentos, from 657 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

657MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
5,700typical miles a year
5.2×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Kia Sorentos than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Chassis rust or damage5.2× usual
    Kia Sorento
    18.9% All 2005 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 1% of all 2005 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3.1× usual
    Kia Sorento
    13.1% All 2005 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.5% of all 2005 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.

  • Track rod ends2.3× usual
    Kia Sorento
    13.9% All 2005 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 2.6% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints5.1× usual
    Kia Sorento
    8.2% All 2005 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Body structure rust or damage2.9× usual
    Kia Sorento
    9.3% All 2005 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.9% of all 2005 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.

By area

The share of 2005 Kia Sorento MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% 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
    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.

  • 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    32% 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.

  • 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% 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
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%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Kia Sorentos registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score