MPV and people carrier · 1999–2020 cars
Kia Sedona reliability
The Kia Sedona fails 45.5% of first MOT tests, 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 20,740 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Kia Sedona before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 45.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 12% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 20,740
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,900
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Kia Sedona ages
Each point is the share of Kia Sedonas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Kia Sedona | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 30.3% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 35% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 40.7% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 42.8% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 44.5% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 48.9% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 49.2% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 48.8% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 52.4% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 50.1% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 52.8% | 42.8% |
By year
The best and worst Kia Sedona years
2011 cars come out best and 2004 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 409 | 33.3% | 13% more fails | 58,763 |
| 2011 Sedona | 2,176 | 35% | 3% more fails | 78,233 |
| 2010 Sedona | 2,776 | 40.3% | 8% more fails | 87,068 |
| 2009 Sedona | 2,084 | 42.8% | 10% more fails | 87,309 |
| 2008 Sedona | 3,867 | 47.1% | 11% more fails | 104,014 |
| 2007 Sedona | 3,592 | 46.7% | 8% more fails | 106,292 |
| 2006 Sedona | 2,439 | 52.1% | 18% more fails | 105,044 |
| 2005 Sedona | 1,605 | 50% | 14% more fails | 102,893 |
| 2004 Sedona | 1,137 | 55.3% | 26% more fails | 103,536 |
| 2003 | 460 | 51.5% | 19% more fails | 99,690 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Kia Sedona
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 99% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22.1%15% above avg
- Suspension18.1%14% above avg
- Brakes16.4%49% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure8.4%22% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.3%12% above avg
- Tyres7.1%2% below avg
- Steering6.1%83% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags3.8%99% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.2%45% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 5.72% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Stop lamp not working 4.86% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 4% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 4
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.61% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 5
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.33% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 6
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.31% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 7
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.21% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 8
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.95% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Kia Sedona's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit17.57%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear11.81%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive11.72%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy11.22%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion8.38%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.62%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Kia Sedona
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 4
Dipped beam headlamp not working
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Kia Sedona covers about 6,900 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel98.4%
- Petrol1.6%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Silver, Black, Blue, Red, Beige
Average engine size: 2.7 litres.
Compare
How the Kia Sedona compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz Viano | 33.6% | 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Previa | 44% | about average for its age |
| Chrysler Grand Voyager | 41.7% | about average for its age |
| Kia Sedona | 45.5% | 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C4 Picasso | 23.9% | 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën Grand C4 Picasso | 50.5% | 29% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai i800 | 37% | 46% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every mpv and people carrier ranked in the mpv and people carrier reliability index, or all Kia models.
Questions
Kia Sedona questions, answered
Is the Kia Sedona reliable?
On MOT results, the Kia Sedona is below average: it fails 45.5% of first MOT tests, 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 29 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.
What fails most on a Kia Sedona MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Kia Sedona are position lamp not working (5.72% of tests), stop lamp not working (4.86% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (4% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 22.1% of its tests.
Which Kia Sedona year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2011 cars do best (3% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2004 cars do worst (26% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Kia Sedona do a year?
A typical Kia Sedona covers about 6,900 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Kia Sedona before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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