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Kia Sorento Mk4 (MQ4) (2021-present) reliability

At a glance

Kia Sorento Mk4 (MQ4) built around 2021: more fails still not passed 3 days later

Kia Sorento Mk4 (MQ4) models built around 2021 fail an MOT and still haven’t passed 3 days later more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

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Key figure

2.9% of MOT tests on Kia Sorento Mk4 (MQ4) models built around 2021 failed and still hadn’t passed 3 days later. For similar cars the same age, it was 1.7%.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Kia Sorento Mk4 (MQ4) models built around 2021 involves the tyres.

Kia Sorento Mk4 (MQ4)
average reliability2021-presentSUVDIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC

Based on 4,472 tests of Sorento models registered 2021+.

About 1 in 7 hybrid electric Sorento cars registered in 2022 (14.1%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 1,452 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 30 Sorento Mk4 (MQ4) MOTs (2.9%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2021 (4 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,735 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 50 Sorento Mk4 (MQ4) MOTs (1.8%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2021 (4 years old).

Based on 1,735 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk4 (MQ4) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
2,73711.5%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
1,73511.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 4 years old.

How the Sorento Mk4 (MQ4) compares

At each age below, see how the Sorento Mk4 (MQ4) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 100,638 tests across 12 Kia models, built around 2021 (4 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateKia average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
2,73711.5%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
1,73511.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Sorento Mk4 (MQ4).

  1. 1

    Lexus UX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.7%
    Dangerous
    1.8%

    Lower fail rate: 6.0%, against 11.8% for the Kia Sorento Mk4 (MQ4), both built around 2021.

    4,973 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  2. 2

    Toyota Yaris Cross

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.6%
    Dangerous
    1.2%

    Lower fail rate: 7.0%, against 11.8% for the Kia Sorento Mk4 (MQ4), both built around 2021.

    1,425 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  3. 3

    Ford Puma

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    2.6%

    Lower fail rate: 7.8%, against 11.8% for the Kia Sorento Mk4 (MQ4), both built around 2021.

    32,326 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  4. 4

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.2%

    Lower fail rate: 7.7%, against 11.8% for the Kia Sorento Mk4 (MQ4), both built around 2021.

    22,002 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.

Recall context

25 recalls in all

6 of the 25 Sorento Mk4 (MQ4) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 6 recalls

Top concerns

  • Kia Sorento MQ4 PDC recall
  • Turn signals may not activate intermittently due to improper switch contact in the multifunction switch
  • Poor moulding of the plastic fuel tank by a temporary supplier can lead to a potential fuel leak

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Mk4 (MQ4) variants compared

Sorento Mk4 (MQ4) variants built around 2021

The fail rate for each Sorento Mk4 (MQ4) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Hybrid electric

  • SORENTO 4 HEV AWD AUTO12.3%349 tests
  • SORENTO 3 HEV AWD AUTO11.7%266 tests
  • SORENTO 4 PHEV AWD AUTO9.3%258 tests
  • SORENTO 2 HEV AWD AUTO17.8%219 tests

Diesel

  • SORENTO 3 CRDI AWD S-A12.6%357 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Kia Sorentos of this age

This list covers every Kia Sorento built around 2021, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk4 (MQ4) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    17.1%
    Advisory: 600Fail: 25 (4% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    6.5%
    Advisory: 188Fail: 16 (8% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    4.2%
    Advisory: 93Fail: 2 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    3.9%
    Advisory: 97Fail: 11 (10% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    3.7%
    Advisory: 101Fail: 34 (25% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,246 tests

Looking at a Kia Sorento Mk4 (MQ4) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2021 (4 years old), the Kia Sorento Mk4 (MQ4) (2021-present) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 1,735 4-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 4,472 MOT tests on Kia Sorentos first registered from 2021. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.