Used car guide

2008 Kia Sorento: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Kia Sorentos, from 699 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

699MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
6,400typical miles a year
3.5×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Kia Sorentos than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Track rod ends3.5× usual
    Kia Sorento
    19.3% All 2008 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.3%, against 2.5% of all 2008 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 link joints4.1× usual
    Kia Sorento
    17.2% All 2008 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 1.6% of all 2008 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.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.3× usual
    Kia Sorento
    22.3% All 2008 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.5% of all 2008 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.

  • Engine oil leaks1.9× usual
    Kia Sorento
    24% All 2008 cars
    12.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Chassis rust or damage5× usual
    Kia Sorento
    11.9% All 2008 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 0.6% of all 2008 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.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 3.6% here, against 11.3% of all 2008 cars. Shock absorbers: 2.9% here, against 8% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Kia Sorento MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    52% 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
    50% 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
    30% 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
    27% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    21% 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.

Looking at a Kia Sorento?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

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%
2007876Suspension 54%
20061,239Suspension 51%
2005657Suspension 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Kia Sorentos registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score