Used car guide

2015 Kia Sportage: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 Kia Sportages, from 20,623 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

20,623MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
7,900typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2015 Kia Sportages than on all cars registered in 2015.

  • Brake pads1.7× usual
    Kia Sportage
    16.9% All 2015 cars
    10.2%
    Rough price £80–£180

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Braking performance2.1× usual
    Kia Sportage
    6.6% All 2015 cars
    3.2%
    Rough price £100–£350

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Individual direction indicators4.7× usual
    Kia Sportage
    3.8% All 2015 cars
    0.8%
    Rough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Ball joint1.7× usual
    Kia Sportage
    6.2% All 2015 cars
    3.6%
    Rough price £80–£200

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

Better than most

Coil springs: 1.3% here, against 5.4% of all 2015 cars. Shock absorbers: 2.2% here, against 5.2% of all 2015 cars.

By area

The share of 2015 Kia Sportage MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Brakes
    33% 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.

  • Suspension
    22% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    17% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    4% 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.

Looking at a Kia Sportage?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
202116,864Tyres 27%
202011,848Tyres 29%
201931,730Tyres 29%
201833,669Tyres 31%
201736,400Tyres 31%
201636,611Tyres 31%
201418,679Brakes 35%
201317,284Suspension 44%
201212,090Suspension 47%
20117,110Suspension 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2015 Kia Sportages registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score