Used car guide

2006 Kia Sportage: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Kia Sportages, from 803 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

803MOT tests in 2025
51%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
5,900typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Kia Sportages than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.5× usual
    Kia Sportage
    13.7% All 2006 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 2.6% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Ball joint2.1× usual
    Kia Sportage
    13.4% All 2006 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.1× usual
    Kia Sportage
    9% All 2006 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 1.5% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Ball joint dust cover2× usual
    Kia Sportage
    9.7% All 2006 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 2% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Rust around sub-frame mountings4.1× usual
    Kia Sportage
    5.7% All 2006 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.2% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Better than most

Coil springs: 5.4% here, against 11.2% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 Kia Sportage MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    61% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    43% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    42% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    34% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    23% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    16% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Kia Sportage?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20231,712Tyres 12%
202229,340Tyres 19%
202126,918Tyres 26%
202018,964Tyres 29%
201933,018Tyres 29%
201833,673Tyres 31%
201736,407Tyres 31%
201636,617Tyres 31%
201520,627Tyres 33%
201418,683Brakes 35%
201317,285Suspension 44%
201212,095Suspension 47%
20117,113Suspension 50%
20103,635Suspension 52%
20091,838Suspension 54%
20081,116Suspension 55%
2007934Suspension 57%
2005839Suspension 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Kia Sportages registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score