Used car guide

2021 Kia Sorento: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Kia Sorentos, from 2,464 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,464MOT tests in 2025
87%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
9,500typical miles a year
8.5×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2021 Kia Sorentos than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Engine oil leaks8.5× usual
    Kia Sorento
    3.4% All 2021 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2021 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.5× usual
    Kia Sorento
    2.8% All 2021 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.2% of all 2021 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.

Better than most

Brake discs: 2.9% here, against 7.1% of all 2021 cars.

By area

The share of 2021 Kia Sorento MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    23% 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.

  • Brakes
    7% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    6% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    5% 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    5% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

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%
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%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2021 Kia Sorentos registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score