2018 KIA Sorento 2.2L Diesel · FP68 FXW

A consistent pattern of advisory-level wear has emerged across this Sorento's MOT history, painting a picture of a vehicle that remains roadworthy but is beginning to show its age in predictable component areas. The most recent test on 25 July 2026 passed cleanly, yet three advisories were logged, including an offside front inner tyre worn close to the legal limit on its edge, a non-excessive oil leak, and rear brake disc wear with pitting and scoring. Going back further, the 2024 test recorded thinning rear brake pads on both sides alongside a worn trailing arm bush on the nearside rear suspension, while 2025 and 2023 returned without advisories of a mechanical nature. Overall the trend points to a chassis that is holding up structurally but is steadily accumulating consumable and suspension wear consistent with a vehicle of its vintage. Mileage of 52,849 across eight years works out at approximately 6,600 miles annually, which sits broadly in line with the national average for a car of this age. There are no extended gaps in the testing record and no dramatic jumps in odometer readings between tests, suggesting the vehicle has been in regular use rather than left standing for prolonged periods. This kind of consistent, moderate usage typically benefits mechanical longevity by keeping seals lubricated, preventing brake corrosion from setting in deeply, and maintaining battery health, though it also means the wear items now beginning to surface have had genuine mileage accumulation behind them rather than being accelerated by abuse. For a prospective purchase, the areas warranting close physical inspection align directly with the advisory items on file. The flagged offside front inner tyre wearing on its edge suggests a potential alignment or suspension geometry issue on that corner, so a test drive should include attention to any steering pull to the left, uneven tyre wear across the front axle, or vibrations through the wheel at speed. The oil leak noted in 2026 warrants a thorough under-bonnet and undertray inspection for fresh seepage around the engine sump, valve cover gasket, and turbo oil lines if fitted, with the engine bay checked for residue on heat shields or downpipes. On the rear axle, the worn trailing arm bush and thinning brake pads from 2024 should prompt a physical check for play in the rear suspension, knocking over uneven surfaces, and any binding or judder from the rear brakes under light application. A road test should also include firm pedal pressure to confirm the brake servo is responsive without sponginess, as pitted rear discs can produce pedal shudder under braking that may not yet have reached advisory severity. Listen for clonking or rattling from the rear suspension over speed bumps, which would indicate the trailing arm bush has progressed beyond wear into excessive movement. Finally, confirm that a fresh tyre has been fitted to the offside front inner position and verify all four tyres carry adequate tread, as the edge wear pattern flagged could otherwise recur rapidly and indicate a more fundamental geometry or damper fault that a simple wheel alignment might not fully resolve.