2004 Kia Sorento · 2,632 MOT tests
2004 Kia Sorento reliability
2004 Kia Sorentos fail 50.8% of first MOT tests, 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 18 Sorento years (2,632 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Kia Sorentos: 30.2%)
- 50.8%
- first-time fail rate (all Kia Sorentos: 30.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 13% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 116,374
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 2,632
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 10% of tests fail here (210% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 51% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Kia Sorento
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics24.6%
- Suspension24.1%
- Brakes23.2%
- Body, chassis and structure15.7%
- Seat belts and airbags10%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.8%
- Steering6.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 6.38%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 6.23%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Position lamp not working 5.74%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 4.98%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Stop lamp not working 4.94%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Seat belt anchor area weakened 4.52%
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (21.66%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.16%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (10.83%) · Brake pads wearing thin (10.79%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.56%) · Chassis corroded but still rigid (6.46%)
Other years
Every Kia Sorento year
The full picture: Kia Sorento reliability. Before you pay for any Kia Sorento, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2004 Kia Sorento reliable?
2004 Kia Sorentos fail 50.8% of first MOT tests, 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 18 Sorento years (2,632 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Kia Sorento MOT?
Most often suspension mounting area seriously corroded (6.38% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (6.23% of tests), position lamp not working (5.74% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Kia Sorento have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Kia Sorento shows 116,374 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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