Kia Sedona MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 6,269 MOT tests on the Kia Sedona carried out in 2023. 45% failed at the first attempt, which is well above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 5 in 10 Sedonas passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2003 to 2012. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2012 models did best (68% passed, +2.4 points against the average for 11-year-old cars), while 2003 models fared worst (43%, −13.2 points). Tested cars had covered 98,228 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 21.4% of tests (well above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 12.0% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 6,269
- First-time pass rate
- 55%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −16.9 points
- Average mileage at test
- 98,228
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Sedona?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Sedona MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 150 | 68% | 66% | +2.4 points | 65,495 |
| 2011 | 780 | 63% | 63% | +0.1 points | 82,953 |
| 2010 | 903 | 58% | 60% | −2.9 points | 90,487 |
| 2009 | 595 | 54% | 59% | −4.5 points | 90,703 |
| 2008 | 1,141 | 51% | 57% | −5.9 points | 103,954 |
| 2007 | 1,050 | 53% | 57% | −4.4 points | 107,063 |
| 2006 | 706 | 51% | 56% | −5.2 points | 109,235 |
| 2005 | 455 | 53% | 56% | −3.0 points | 103,633 |
| 2004 | 315 | 49% | 56% | −7.4 points | 105,356 |
| 2003 | 122 | 43% | 57% | −13.2 points | 104,737 |
Why the Kia Sedona fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Sedona | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 21.4% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 18.0% | 8.9% |
| Brakes | 15.9% | 6.8% |
| Body and structure | 8.0% | 3.5% |
| Visibility | 7.4% | 4.8% |
| Tyres | 7.2% | 6.3% |
| Steering | 5.8% | 1.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 3.4% | 1.0% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.2% | 3.1% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.6% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working12.0%
- 2ball joint excessively worn7.4%
- 3fractured or broken4.4%
- 4not working on dipped beam4.0%
- 5efficiency below requirements3.6%
- 6does not clear the windscreen effectively3.5%
- 7tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.5%
- 8excessively binding3.3%
- 9ball joint has excessive play2.9%
- 10excessively corroded2.9%
Common Sedona MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Sedona, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 19.7% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 15.3% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 13.6% |
| excessively corroded | Brakes | 12.5% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 10.1% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 9.8% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.9% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 8.6% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 7.9% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 6.8% |
Tips to help your Sedona pass
Based on where Sedonas most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 21.4% of Sedona tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 15.9% of Sedona tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Body and structure · 8.0% of Sedona tests
Look underneath for corrosion
On older cars, check sills, subframe mounts and brake pipes for rust. Surface rust is common, but corrosion on structural or brake parts is a fail.
Compare with other models
Is the Sedona ULEZ compliant? See the Kia Sedona ULEZ check, or view all Kia models.
Other Kia models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 6,269 first MOT tests of the Kia Sedona carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 6,269 first MOT tests of the Kia Sedona.
What is the Kia Sedona MOT failure rate?
In our data, 45% of 6,269 first MOT attempts on the Kia Sedona ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Kia Sedona fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (21.4% of tests), suspension (18.0% of tests), brakes (15.9% of tests).
Which Sedona year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2012 cars performed best: 68% passed first time, +2.4 points against the average for 11-year-old cars. The weakest was 2003, at 43% (−13.2 points).
How many miles had a typical Kia Sedona covered at its MOT?
The average was 98,228 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2012 cars averaged 65,495 miles and 2003 cars 104,737.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Kia Sedona?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 19.7% of tests, in the tyres area. 7.2% of Sedonas failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Sedona's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 6,269 Sedonas in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 43% to 68% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
Check any Sedona's MOT history
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