Used car guide · 1995–2026

Kia Sportage common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Kia Sportage, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 825,463 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

825,463MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
453,963on the UK register
6known faults across all years
2016best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200320022001200019991998199719961995

Generation guides: Kia Sportage Mk3 (2010–2016) · Kia Sportage Mk4 (2016–2021)

What usually goes wrong with a Kia Sportage?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Diesel reliability (2018-2022)

    Cars registered 2018–2022 · Diesel built 2018-2022

    Owner surveys rate diesels built from 2018 much less reliable than petrols, with engine and gearbox faults most common.

    At the viewing: Prefer a petrol if you can. On a diesel, ask for full service history and check for warning lights.

    Source: What Car?: used Kia Sportage (2016-2022) reliability

  • Brake light switch recall

    Cars registered 2010–2011 · Built up to Sept 2011

    Cars built up to September 2011 were recalled for a brake light switch that could affect stability control, cruise control and automatic gear selection.

    At the viewing: Ask a Kia dealer to check the VIN.

    Source: Auto Express: used Kia Sportage Mk3 buyer's guide

  • Blocked particulate filter (diesel)

    Cars registered 2016–2022 · Diesel

    Diesels need regular faster runs, or the particulate filter can clog and need an expensive replacement.

    At the viewing: Ask how the car has been used. Short trips only is a warning sign.

    If it needs doing: DPF clean or regeneration, about £160–£500. ClickMechanic

    Source: What Car?: used Kia Sportage (2016-2022) reliability

  • Loss of power (1.7 CRDi)

    Cars registered 2010–2015 · 1.7 CRDi diesel

    Some 1.7 diesels lose power. Low coolant is a common cause; a fuel filter can also help.

    At the viewing: Check the coolant level and look for leaks.

    Source: Auto Express: used Kia Sportage Mk3 buyer's guide

  • Seatbelt pre-tensioner recall

    Cars registered 2011–2012 · Built Aug 2011 to Mar 2012

    Cars built August 2011 to March 2012 were recalled for seatbelt pre-tensioners.

    At the viewing: Ask a Kia dealer to check the VIN.

    Source: Auto Express: used Kia Sportage Mk3 buyer's guide

  • Kia warranty may still apply

    Cars registered 2019–2022

    The seven-year warranty may still cover younger cars, if serviced properly.

    At the viewing: Check the service book and ask Kia whether warranty remains.

    Source: What Car?: used Kia Sportage (2016-2022) reliability

Common Kia Sportage MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Brake pads

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

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

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 4.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)

    up to 11× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

  • Exhaust system

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 15× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2012, 2013, 2019 and 2020.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

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

Diesel

  • Brake pads

    up to 1.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

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

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 3.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015.

    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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 15.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019 and 2020.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

  • Braking performance

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

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

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2010 and 2011.

    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.

Hybrid

  • Wipers

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 5.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 18× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019 and 2020.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

Kia Sportage MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2016 Kia Sportage did best (78% passed first time, 1 point above all 2016 cars) and the 2007 did worst (50%, 7 points below all 2007 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202392%92% +01,976
202289%89% +031,074
202185%87% -254,661
202084%87% -356,872
201984%85% -197,946
201883%83% +099,630
201780%80% +0108,402
201678%77% +1109,730
201573%74% -162,005
201471%70% +156,529
201363%67% -452,926
201261%64% -337,383
201161%62% -122,344
201058%60% -212,119
200954%59% -56,726
200855%57% -24,342
200750%57% -73,919
200650%56% -63,321
200550%57% -73,558

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Kia Sportage

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Have there been any engine, gearbox or warning light problems?
  2. Was the brake light switch recall done?
  3. Has it ever lost power?
  4. Was the seatbelt recall done?
  5. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.7× as often on the Kia Sportage as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the Kia Sportage as on other cars the same age.)

Looking at a Kia Sportage?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score