Part of the Kia Sportage Mk4 (2016–2021) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2020 Kia Sportage: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Kia Sportage first registered in 2020: we looked at the 18,964 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

18,964MOTs of 2020 cars, done in 2025
84%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
7,500typical miles a year
14×the usual rate for track rod ends

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Kia Sportage?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Kia Sportage than on all cars registered in 2020.

  • Track rod ends14× usual
    Kia Sportage
    9.8% All 2020 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.2% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints3.9× usual
    Kia Sportage
    7% All 2020 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.3% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Brake pads1.6× usual
    Kia Sportage
    14.6% All 2020 cars
    9.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.6% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

Common 2020 Kia Sportage MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Kia Sportage MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    29% 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
    21% 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
    16% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    4% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Lights and electrics
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Known faults on the 2020 Kia Sportage

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Diesel reliability (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

  • Blocked particulate filter (diesel)

    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

  • Kia warranty may still apply

    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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 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. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 14× as often on the 2020 Kia Sportage as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2020 Kia Sportage as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2020 Kia Sportage as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Kia Sportage?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Kia Sportage compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
20231,712Tyres 12%
202229,340Tyres 19%
202126,918Tyres 26%
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%
2006803Suspension 61%
2005839Suspension 57%
2003–Too few tests
2002–Too few tests
2001–Too few tests
2000–Too few tests
1999–Too few tests
1998–Too few tests
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Kia Sportage cars first registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score