Kia Sportage MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 254,820 MOT tests on the Kia Sportage carried out in 2023. 23% failed at the first attempt, which is noticeably below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 8 in 10 Sportages passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2005 to 2022. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2014 models did best (74% passed, +2.4 points against the average for 9-year-old cars), while 2006 models fared worst (49%, −7.3 points). Tested cars had covered 57,456 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was brakes, found on 7.5% of tests (roughly in line with the 6.8% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 3.4% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 254,820
- First-time pass rate
- 77%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +5.9 points
- Average mileage at test
- 57,456
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Sportage?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Sportage MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 89 | 93% | 93% | +0.4 points | 18,241 |
| 2021 | 1,780 | 88% | 91% | −2.4 points | 24,330 |
| 2020 | 19,464 | 85% | 88% | −3.1 points | 23,469 |
| 2019 | 33,306 | 85% | 86% | −1.1 points | 31,133 |
| 2018 | 33,701 | 84% | 84% | −0.5 points | 40,263 |
| 2017 | 36,501 | 82% | 82% | +0.6 points | 50,475 |
| 2016 | 37,155 | 80% | 79% | +1.5 points | 58,784 |
| 2015 | 21,035 | 75% | 75% | −0.1 points | 66,246 |
| 2014 | 19,205 | 74% | 72% | +2.4 points | 75,100 |
| 2013 | 18,170 | 66% | 68% | −2.2 points | 83,434 |
| 2012 | 12,875 | 62% | 66% | −3.5 points | 91,958 |
| 2011 | 7,842 | 63% | 63% | −0.3 points | 99,566 |
| 2010 | 4,469 | 61% | 60% | +0.2 points | 97,382 |
| 2009 | 2,656 | 55% | 59% | −4.0 points | 98,909 |
| 2008 | 1,768 | 55% | 57% | −1.9 points | 104,089 |
| 2007 | 1,661 | 50% | 57% | −6.8 points | 107,360 |
| 2006 | 1,442 | 49% | 56% | −7.3 points | 112,657 |
| 2005 | 1,544 | 50% | 56% | −6.2 points | 110,613 |
Why the Kia Sportage fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Sportage | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 7.5% | 6.8% |
| Tyres | 6.1% | 6.3% |
| Lights and electrics | 5.2% | 11.3% |
| Visibility | 4.7% | 4.8% |
| Suspension | 4.5% | 8.9% |
| Steering | 1.7% | 1.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.2% | 3.1% |
| Body and structure | 0.8% | 3.5% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.3% | 1.0% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.2% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.4%
- 2less than 1.5 mm thick3.3%
- 3does not clear the windscreen effectively2.8%
- 4efficiency below requirements1.7%
- 5ball joint excessively worn1.5%
- 6not working1.5%
- 7too high1.1%
- 8fractured or broken1.1%
- 9provides insufficient washer liquid1.0%
- 10ball joint has excessive play1.0%
Common Sportage MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Sportage, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 17.1% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 13.4% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 8.3% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 8.2% |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | Non-component advisories | 4.1% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 4.0% |
| significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 3.2% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 2.5% |
| Nail in tyre | Non-component advisories | 2.4% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 1.9% |
Tips to help your Sportage pass
Based on where Sportages most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Brakes · 7.5% of Sportage tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Lights and electrics · 5.2% of Sportage tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Visibility · 4.7% of Sportage tests
Clear the view
Replace wiper blades that smear, fill the washer bottle and get chips in the windscreen repaired early, especially in the area directly in front of the driver.
Compare with other models
Is the Sportage ULEZ compliant? See the Kia Sportage ULEZ check, or view all Kia models.
Other Kia models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 254,820 first MOT tests of the Kia Sportage carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 254,820 first MOT tests of the Kia Sportage.
What is the Kia Sportage MOT failure rate?
In our data, 23% of 254,820 first MOT attempts on the Kia Sportage ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Kia Sportage fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were brakes (7.5% of tests), tyres (6.1% of tests), lights and electrics (5.2% of tests).
Which Sportage year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2014 cars performed best: 74% passed first time, +2.4 points against the average for 9-year-old cars. The weakest was 2006, at 49% (−7.3 points).
How many miles had a typical Kia Sportage covered at its MOT?
The average was 57,456 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2022 cars averaged 18,241 miles and 2005 cars 110,613.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Kia Sportage?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 17.1% of tests, in the tyres area. 6.1% of Sportages failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Sportage's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 254,820 Sportages in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 49% to 93% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
Check any Sportage's MOT history
Every test, failure, advisory and recorded mileage for a specific car. Free, from official DVSA data.