Is the Kia Sportage ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 254,820 MOT tests, around 70% of Kia Sportages still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 17% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 13%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 59% diesel, 38% petrol. Diesel Sportages are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged. Every petrol Sportage in the data (2005 onwards) is likely to be compliant.
- Likely compliant
- 70%
- Likely charged
- 17%
- Depends on the car
- 13%
- MOT tests analysed
- 254,820
Check a specific Sportage
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
Sportage ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many Sportages of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel | Petrol | Hybrid (petrol) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | – | Likely compliant42 tested | Likely compliant47 tested |
| 2021 | Likely compliant6 tested | Likely compliant1,243 tested | Likely compliant531 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant614 tested | Likely compliant13,115 tested | Likely compliant5,728 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant10,085 tested | Likely compliant22,020 tested | Likely compliant1,199 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant14,623 tested | Likely compliant19,077 tested | – |
| 2017 | Likely compliant22,643 tested | Likely compliant13,858 tested | – |
| 2016 | Likely compliant26,472 tested | Likely compliant10,683 tested | – |
| 2015 | Check exact car16,737 tested | Likely compliant4,298 tested | – |
| 2014 | Check exact car16,038 tested | Likely compliant3,167 tested | – |
| 2013 | Likely charged15,351 tested | Likely compliant2,819 tested | – |
| 2012 | Likely charged11,118 tested | Likely compliant1,757 tested | – |
| 2011 | Likely charged6,479 tested | Likely compliant1,363 tested | – |
| 2010 | Likely charged3,235 tested | Likely compliant1,233 tested | – |
| 2009 | Likely charged1,834 tested | Likely compliant820 tested | – |
| 2008 | Likely charged1,192 tested | Likely compliant572 tested | – |
| 2007 | Likely charged1,029 tested | Likely compliant630 tested | – |
| 2006 | Likely charged1,034 tested | Likely compliant408 tested | – |
| 2005 | Likely charged965 tested | Check Euro standard577 tested | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the Sportage
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Diesel (59% of Sportages tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Petrol (38% of Sportages tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
- Hybrid (petrol) (3% of Sportages tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
Sportages from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (13% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Kia can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how Sportages fare at the MOT too: see the Kia Sportage MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Kia Sportage for London: what the MOT data shows
The Kia Sportages in this data were first registered between 2005 and 2022. 2016 was the most common year, with 37,155 tests (15% of the total), and half were registered in 2016 or later.
Sportages from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 81% of the time, at an average of 46,643 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 62% of the time with 92,395 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest diesel Sportages likely to comply are from 2016. 26,472 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 80% of the time and averaged 58,784 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest petrol Sportages likely to comply are from 2006. 408 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 49% of the time and averaged 112,657 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the Sportage's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were tyres: "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" (3.4% of tests); brakes: "less than 1.5 mm thick" (3.3%); visibility: "does not clear the windscreen effectively" (2.8%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 17.1% of tests.
Overall, 77% of Sportages passed first time, noticeably above the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 57,456 miles on average, fewer than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Kia models
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.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 254,820 MOT tests say about the Kia Sportage and London's ULEZ.
Is the Kia Sportage ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 70% of Sportages on the road are likely compliant and 17% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol Sportage years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol Sportages first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel Sportage ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel Sportages from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific Sportage is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- 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 · 5 min readMOT retest rules: when it's free, partial or full priceFix a failed MOT within a day or two and the retest is often free; wait too long and you pay for a full test again. The three retest types explained.Read the guide
Is your Sportage ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.