Used car guide

2009 Kia Sorento: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Kia Sorentos, from 1,045 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,045MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
6,600typical miles a year
3.4×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

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

  • Rigid brake pipes3.4× usual
    Kia Sorento
    25.7% All 2009 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, 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.

  • Engine oil leaks2.2× usual
    Kia Sorento
    23.2% All 2009 cars
    10.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.3% of all 2009 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.

  • Track rod ends3× usual
    Kia Sorento
    16.2% All 2009 cars
    5.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 2.5% of all 2009 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 joints3× usual
    Kia Sorento
    12.8% All 2009 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.7× usual
    Kia Sorento
    9.3% All 2009 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

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

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.7% here, against 11.1% of all 2009 cars. Sub-frame: 2.1% here, against 7.7% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 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
    49% 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
    35% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    26% 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
    14% 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?

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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%
2008699Suspension 52%
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 2009 Kia Sorentos registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score