Kia Sorento (2004)
2004 Kia Sorento
CarHunch analysed 4,849 real MOT records for the 2004 Kia Sorento. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2004 Kia Sorento's 70.6% first-time pass rate is notably below the UK average of 80%, and nearly half of these vehicles (49.6%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a serious concern for prospective buyers. Petrol and diesel versions perform similarly, both struggling around the 70–72% pass mark.
At 84,000 miles median, these Sorentos are reasonably low-mileage for their age, yet they average 5.46 failures and a striking 26.2 advisories per test, pointing to widespread wear and corrosion issues typical of ageing SUVs. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on brake and suspension components, and budget for repairs—this is not a low-maintenance classic.
What to check before buying a 2004 Kia Sorento
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 49.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Kia Sorento
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (94%) | 4,559 | 70.5% | 5.52 |
| Petrol (6%) | 273 | 72.4% | 4.38 |
| LPG (0%) | 17 | 70.8% | 5.12 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 Kia Sorento vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2004 Kia Sorento vehicles fall between 69,369 and 99,449 miles.
2004 Kia Sorento — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 316 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (7% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2004 Kia Sorento
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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62.2%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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61.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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59.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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57.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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55.9%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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41.6%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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39.9%
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
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38.5%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Kia Sorento?
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