Family SUV · 1996–2021 cars

Kia Sportage reliability

The Kia Sportage fails 22.8% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 824,865 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 50/100#40 of 59 family suvs

Checking a Kia Sportage before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 22.8%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 0% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 824,865; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 8,700; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Kia Sportage has a first-time MOT fail rate of 22.8%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it performs about average. It ranks 40 of 59 family SUV models. The 2014 model year was the best, with 9% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. The 2021 model year was weakest, with 18% more.

Brakes are the weak spot, with 64% more fails there than comparable cars. The Sportage can still be a good buy if you check the right things. Start with the brake pads, as anything worn below 1.5mm fails. Then check the tyre tread, which fails below 1.6mm. Also check the wiper blades clear the windscreen, and that the parking brake is working properly.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Kia Sportage ages

Each point is the share of Kia Sportages of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Kia SportageAll cars

Kia Sportage first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Kia Sportage	All cars
3	13.9%	12.3%
4	15.3%	14.1%
5	16.5%	16.4%
6	18.4%	19.1%
7	21.1%	22.1%
8	24.8%	25.5%
9	29.5%	28.8%
10	33.9%	31.8%
11	37%	34.6%
12	38.5%	37.3%
13	40.4%	39.5%
14	46.4%	41.1%
15	47.6%	42.3%
16	50.1%	42.9%
17	51.2%	43.4%
18	47.7%	43.5%
19	47.2%	43.4%

By year

The best and worst Kia Sportage years

2014 cars come out best and 2021 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Kia Sportage MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 Sportage	11,699	14%	18% more fails	26,572
2020 Sportage	33,589	13.9%	12% more fails	28,426
2019 Sportage	89,001	15.2%	13% more fails	32,104
2018 Sportage	117,060	15.5%	1% more fails	38,725
2017 Sportage	127,695	17.6%	4% fewer fails	49,016
2016 Sportage	128,633	19.9%	7% fewer fails	57,574
2015 Sportage	71,813	24.3%	1% fewer fails	64,726
2014 Sportage	65,834	25.8%	9% fewer fails	73,458
2013 Sportage	62,405	33.8%	6% more fails	82,324
2012 Sportage	44,331	36.3%	4% more fails	90,650
2011 Sportage	26,918	36.9%	2% fewer fails	98,507
2010 Sportage	14,902	40.6%	3% more fails	97,126
2009 Sportage	8,743	45.3%	11% more fails	97,496
2008 Sportage	5,926	45%	6% more fails	103,016
2007 Sportage	5,686	50.4%	15% more fails	107,843
2006 Sportage	5,050	50.4%	13% more fails	112,773
2005 Sportage	5,177	49.3%	11% more fails	109,913

Common problems

What fails most on a Kia Sportage

Its weak spot is brakes: 64% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Brakes7.9%64% above avg
Tyres6.1%0% above avg
Lights and electrics5.3%31% below avg
Suspension4.8%17% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.5%17% above avg
Steering1.9%61% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.3%33% below avg
Body, chassis and structure0.9%52% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.4%39% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.89% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.87% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.33% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
4
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 1.28% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
5
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 0.96% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
6
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.94% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
7
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 0.89% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
8
Coil spring fractured or broken 0.88% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Kia Sportage's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit14.75%
Brake pads wearing thin11.62%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking7.69%
Brake disc pitted or scored7.17%
Child seat limits belt inspection3.7%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear3.45%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Kia Sportage

1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
4
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Kia Sportage covers about 8,700 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Diesel61.7%
Petrol36.1%
Hybrid1.2%
Other1.1%
LPG0%
Electric0%

Most common colours

White, Silver, Black, Blue, Red

Average engine size: 1.7 litres.

Compare

How the Kia Sportage compares with its rivals

Kia Sportage against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque	15.2%	33% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volkswagen Tiguan	17.4%	24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Honda CR-V	25.6%	22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Land Rover Freelander	33.4%	17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Kuga	20.2%	12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Kia Sportage	22.8%	about average for its age
Peugeot 3008	28.6%	21% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every family suv ranked in the family suv reliability index, or all Kia models.

Questions

Kia Sportage questions, answered

Is the Kia Sportage reliable?

On MOT results, the Kia Sportage is about average: it fails 22.8% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 40 of 59 family suv models in our index.

What fails most on a Kia Sportage MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Kia Sportage are brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.89% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.87% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.33% of tests). By area, brakes fails 7.9% of its tests.

Which Kia Sportage year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2014 cars do best (9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2021 cars do worst (18% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Kia Sportage do a year?

A typical Kia Sportage covers about 8,700 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Kia Sportage before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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