KIA Sportage
Registered from 2000 to 2025.
About this model
The Kia Sportage is a series of automobiles manufactured by the South Korean manufacturer Kia since 1993 through five generations. Initially a compact SUV built on a body-on-frame chassis, the second-generation Sportage transitioned to a car-based platform which placed it into the compact crossover SUV class, and was originally developed alongside the Hyundai Tucson and since the fifth-generation model launched in 2021, in two sizes with different wheelbase lengths for different markets, alongside the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Kia Sorento.
From the Wikipedia article Kia Sportage, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2019 1.6 petrol. 2,311 of 24,222 tests failed, 10%.
Better than 43% of 2019 cars. The typical one fails 9%, across 908 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 45% | 1,041 |
| Brakes | 28% | 656 |
| Visibility | 28% | 649 |
| Lights and electrics | 6% | 142 |
| Steering | 5% | 113 |
| Suspension | 4% | 84 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Parking brake control missing, defective or inoperative
Where it stands out against its peers
- Steering: failed more often than 95% of 2019 cars — 5% of its 2,311 failed tests, where an ordinary 2019 car has 1%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 45% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Brakes — 28% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Parking brake control missing, defective or inoperative
- Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value
- Lights and electrics — 6% of its failures
- Visibility — 28% of its failures
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 80–100k miles this one fails 16% of its inspections, against the 14% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 7% | 5% | 5,879 | |
| 20–40k miles | 10% | 9% | 14,761 | |
| 40–60k miles | 13% | 12% | 3,181 | |
| 60–80k miles | 15% | 14% | 332 | |
| 80–100k miles | 16% | 14% | 55 |
24,208 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 20k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1.6 hybrid · 177 hp · 1905 kg · 2680 mm wheelbase · 1.1 L/100km (WLTP) · 169 Wh/km |
| 2021 | 1.6 petrol · 130 hp · 1490 kg · 2670 mm wheelbase · 7.0 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 1.6 petrol · 130 hp · 1490 kg · 2670 mm wheelbase · 7.4 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 1.6 petrol · 1490 kg · 2670 mm wheelbase · 7.7 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 1.6 petrol · 1609 kg · 2670 mm wheelbase · 7.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 1.7 diesel · 114 hp · 1500 kg · 2670 mm wheelbase · 4.7 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 1.7 diesel · 115 hp · 1509 kg · 2664 mm wheelbase · 4.7 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 1.7 diesel · 114 hp · 1510 kg · 2640 mm wheelbase · 5.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 1.7 diesel · 114 hp · 1521 kg · 2635 mm wheelbase · 5.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 1.7 diesel · 114 hp · 1516 kg · 2640 mm wheelbase · 5.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 1.7 diesel · 114 hp · 1518 kg · 2639 mm wheelbase · 5.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 1.7 diesel · 114 hp · 1501 kg · 2524 mm wheelbase · 5.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00020/23
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short circuit.This could result in an engine compartment fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01885/23
Due to a manufacturing error, the engine might overheat due to fuel or oil leaks and subsequently break down. This may endanger the following traffic and can cause a fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/02275/23
A faulty filter inside the tandem pump can cause insufficient oil supply and failure to generate vacuum pressure. This can affect the braking distance, increasing a risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/00588/25
Due to an internal leak of brake fluid, a short circuit can occur in the electrical circuit for the ABS/ESC (Anti-lock Braking System / Electronic Stability Control) system. This can lead to an increase in current and overheating in the fuse box, increasing the risk of the engine catching fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/00591/25
Due to an internal leak of brake fluid, a short circuit can occur in the electrical circuit for the ABS/ESC (Anti-lock Braking System / Electronic Stability Control) system. This can lead to an increase in current and overheating in the fuse box, increasing the risk of the engine catching fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/02418/25
The vacuum pump in the engine may be damaged by a mechanical defect on the camshaft due to high acceleration torque when the engine starts. As a result, an increased force may be required to apply the brake pedal, which may increase braking distance. This increases the risk of accidents and injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/04280/25
The internal thread diameter of the tie rod may be too large. Over time, this can reduce the fastening force, which could result in a loss of steering control and increase the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users