KIA SPORTAGE Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 9,310 MOT tests from 1,121 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every KIA SPORTAGE has the same fault.

KIA SPORTAGE's have a very good reliability rating of 630/999. The score was calculated from the average of every KIA SPORTAGE that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the KIA SPORTAGE.

KIA SPORTAGE (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	870/999Excellent	84,064 miles	6,391 vehicles
N/A	N/A	819/999Excellent	79,856 miles	9,689 vehicles
N/A	N/A	761/999Very good	76,559 miles	9,056 vehicles
N/A	N/A	720/999Very good	91,142 miles	7,437 vehicles
N/A	N/A	699/999Good	75,473 miles	13,774 vehicles
N/A	N/A	694/999Good	97,706 miles	7,255 vehicles
N/A	N/A	676/999Good	75,611 miles	17,118 vehicles
N/A	N/A	653/999Good	97,843 miles	4,581 vehicles
N/A	N/A	642/999Good	76,812 miles	15,453 vehicles
N/A	N/A	595/999Above average	94,157 miles	2,631 vehicles
N/A	N/A	589/999Above average	80,695 miles	13,158 vehicles
N/A	N/A	567/999Above average	92,702 miles	2,070 vehicles
N/A	N/A	550/999Above average	97,508 miles	1,474 vehicles
N/A	N/A	509/999Above average	78,219 miles	5,063 vehicles
N/A	N/A	469/999Average	76,407 miles	1,153 vehicles
N/A	N/A	458/999Average	75,900 miles	604 vehicles
N/A	N/A	443/999Average	81,367 miles	875 vehicles

How reliable is the KIA SPORTAGE?

Based on 9,310 MOT tests from 1,121 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

1,121

MOT tests

9,310

Pass rate

80.3%

Median mileage

76,773 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every KIA SPORTAGE has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 745 out of 999.

Common KIA SPORTAGE MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 2,026 advisory comments and 328 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 754 advisory comments and 175 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 534 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 206 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 158 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 68 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Track rod wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 36 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record play or damage at a track rod or track rod end.

What to inspect

Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TRACK ROD END BALL JOINT HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY (2.1.3 (B) (I))

Exhaust

VehicleScore MOT data includes 31 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record exhaust leaks, insecurity, or other exhaust defects found at inspection.

What to inspect

Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST CARBON MONOXIDE CONTENT AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE EXCEEDS MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFIED LIMITS (8.2.1.2 (A))

KIA SPORTAGE MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2026	23	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	33	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	34	2	50%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	66	70	84.3%	Tyre wear, Windscreen damage
2022	63	143	89.5%	Tyre wear, Parking brake faults
2021	42	147	81.6%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2020	42	202	83.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2019	85	521	84.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	86	615	84.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	120	1013	83.6%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	121	1113	83.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	66	706	81.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	87	1027	80.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2013	103	1458	75.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2012	54	825	76.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2011	44	718	77.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2010	23	410	77.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2009	7	137	75.2%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues

What to check when buying a used KIA SPORTAGE

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Track rod wear. Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.
Exhaust. Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

Buying a KIA SPORTAGE?

Common problems tell you what can affect KIA SPORTAGEs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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