2022 KIA Sorento 3 Crdi AWD S-A 2.2L Diesel · FV22 YWW

The defining mechanical story for this 2022 Kia Sorento is one of consistent roadworthiness at MOT inspection, albeit with a recurring thread of tyre-related advisories that point toward active service use rather than any underlying structural or mechanical defect. The most recent test on 16 July 2026 returned a pass, with a single advisory noting that the nearside front tyre was worn close to the legal limit and showed edge wear. The preceding test on 2 July 2025 also passed cleanly, but flagged two advisories: a cut on the nearside rear tyre (not deep enough to reach the ply or cords) plus slight outer sidewall damage, and a similar cut on the offside rear tyre. Across the recorded history there are no failures, no advisories relating to brakes, suspension, corrosion, exhaust integrity, or any drivetrain component. The trend therefore reads as stable, with the wear pattern concentrated almost exclusively on the four contact patches. Annual mileage of roughly 12,900 miles is notably high for a four-year-old vehicle of this class and suggests the Sorento has been in regular, consistent use rather than occasional or seasonal running. There are no gaps in the testing record to indicate extended periods off the road, and the mileage accumulation appears steady. From a mechanical standpoint, this usage profile means the consumables brakes, tyres, and certain suspension components will be working through their service life at a faster rate than on a lower-mileage equivalent. The fact that only tyre-related items have surfaced so far is consistent with a vehicle that has been driven hard enough to wear through tyres but has not yet accumulated the kind of mileage that typically brings suspension bush play, brake disc lipping, or corrosion issues to the MOT threshold. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection areas are dictated by the specific advisories recorded. The 2026 nearside front tyre edge wear is worth examining closely: it can indicate either incorrect wheel alignment (particularly camber or toe settings), uneven pressure maintenance, or simply that the tyre has reached the end of its useful life on that axle. On a test drive, pay attention to steering pull to one side, a steering wheel that is not centred when driving straight, or any vibration through the wheel at speed, all of which would point to an alignment issue rather than a tyre quality problem. Ask when the tyres were last replaced and whether a four-wheel alignment has been carried out recently. The cuts noted on both rear tyres in 2025 should also be inspected visually to ensure they have not progressed into bulges or slow leaks, and the sidewall damage on the nearside rear warrants particular scrutiny by running a hand over the area to detect any raised deformation. Beyond the flagged tyres, the absence of any braking, suspension, or corrosion advisories across two consecutive passes is a positive indicator, but a test drive should still probe the typical wear points for a diesel SUV of this age and mileage. Listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, which can indicate worn anti-roll bar bushes or droplinks. Check for any pulling under braking, a soft or spongy brake pedal, or uneven caliper binding by feeling for a wheel that drags after the vehicle has been driven. Given the higher annual mileage, the dual-mass flywheel and clutch operation are also worth assessing for any judder on pull-away or a graunching noise on engagement. Finally, a thorough underbody inspection is advisable to look for any early corrosion on subframe and suspension components, and a check of the diesel particulate filter through extended driving at sustained load will help confirm the emissions system remains healthy.