Kia Sportage: what fails at MOT
406,000 MOT tests on the Kia Sportage in 2024, counted. 22.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
22.1% of Kia Sportage tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 20.4%, so the Sportage is about average for its age.
It fails most often on brakes (5.4% of tests), tyres (4.1% of tests) and lights and electrics (3.5% of tests). It fails on brakes more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 43,785 | 14.2% | 10.9% | 23,700 17,300 to 32,200 |
| 2020 | 29,600 | 13.8% | 11.5% | 29,200 21,800 to 38,000 |
| 2019 | 46,065 | 15.6% | 13.4% | 36,700 27,600 to 46,700 |
| 2018 | 49,201 | 15.9% | 15.6% | 46,100 35,700 to 58,200 |
| 2017 | 54,485 | 18.4% | 18.2% | 56,500 44,300 to 70,200 |
| 2016 | 54,118 | 21.2% | 21.3% | 65,300 51,700 to 79,800 |
| 2015 | 29,621 | 25.9% | 24.4% | 71,900 56,800 to 88,200 |
| 2014 | 27,318 | 27.5% | 27.7% | 80,000 64,500 to 97,300 |
| 2013 | 25,900 | 35.6% | 30.6% | 89,000 71,500 to 107,500 |
| 2012 | 18,334 | 36.4% | 33.4% | 96,700 78,700 to 116,700 |
| 2011 | 11,046 | 38.3% | 36.1% | 104,200 85,800 to 124,700 |
| 2010 | 5,692 | 42.2% | 38.6% | 102,600 83,100 to 121,900 |
| 2009 | 3,111 | 48.3% | 39.8% | 100,100 80,900 to 121,700 |
| 2008 | 2,077 | 46.7% | 41.5% | 105,000 85,200 to 125,300 |
| 2007 | 1,943 | 50.4% | 41.5% | 109,000 89,000 to 130,500 |
| 2006 | 1,673 | 49.9% | 42.4% | 113,100 92,000 to 133,900 |
| 2005 | 1,723 | 47.7% | 42.2% | 110,900 91,100 to 133,600 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Kia Sportage tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Sportage | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 5.4% | 3.0% | More than most |
| Tyres | 4.1% | 3.9% | |
| Lights and electrics | 3.5% | 4.7% | Less than most |
| Suspension | 3.1% | 3.6% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.0% | 2.4% | |
| Steering | 1.4% | 0.8% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.0% | 1.3% | |
| Body and structure | 0.5% | 1.2% |
The parts that fail most
- Brake pads2.4%
- Tyre tread2.3%
- Tyre1.7%
- Wipers1.7%
- Brake test1.5%
- Washers1.3%
- Headlamp aim1.3%
- Track rod end1.2%
- Footbrake1.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes0.9%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.2%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.2%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.7%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.1%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play0.9%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn0.9%
- Ball joint: excessively worn0.8%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.8%
- Headlamp aim: too high0.7%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.7%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin8.7%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.5%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement3.3%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt2.6%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.2%
- Nail in tyre1.5%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
Check a Kia Sportage's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.