Kia Sportage MOT pass rate
In 2023, the Kia Sportage passed 77.0% of its first MOT tests, from 245,553 tests in Great Britain. That is 5.6 points above the 71.4% average for all cars, taxis and light vans.
Most common Kia Sportage MOT failures
The area that failed most often was brakes, affecting 7.7% of tests. The red line shows the average for all cars.
- Brakes 7.7% vs 6.8%
- Tyres 6.2% vs 6.3%
- Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 5.3% vs 11.3%
- Visibility 4.7% vs 4.8%
- Suspension 4.7% vs 8.9%
- Steering 1.8% vs 1.8%
- Noise, emissions and leaks 1.2% vs 3.1%
- Body, chassis, structure 0.9% vs 3.4%
- Brake pads 3.5% vs 2.1%
- Tread depth 3.5% vs 2.6%
- Wipers 2.8% vs 2.2%
- Tyres: condition 2.3% vs 3.7%
- Rbt (sp) 2.0% vs 1.4%
- Headlamp aim 2.0% vs 3.3%
- Washers 1.8% vs 2.5%
- Track rod end 1.6% vs 1.4%
Top reasons for failure
| Reason for failure | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | 3.4% |
| Brake pads: Less than 1.5 mm thick | 3.4% |
| Wipers: Does not clear the windscreen effectively | 2.8% |
| Rbt (sp): Efficiency below requirements | 1.5% |
| Coil spring: Fractured or broken | 1.1% |
| Headlamp aim: Too high | 1.1% |
| Washers: Provides insufficient washer liquid | 1.1% |
| Track rod end: Ball joint has excessive play | 1.1% |
| Ball joint excessively worn | 1.0% |
| Tyres: condition: Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 1.0% |
Kia Sportage pass rate by age
The pass rate changes with age: 84.4% for cars aged 3 to 5 years and 51.6% for those aged 15 years or more. Older cars usually fail more often because parts like suspension, brakes and exhausts wear with time and mileage.
- 3 to 5 years 84.4% vs 71.4%
- 6 to 9 years 78.9% vs 71.4%
- 10 to 14 years 63.2% vs 71.4%
- 15 years or more 51.6% vs 71.4%
Pass rate by fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 149,330 | 74.7% |
| Petrol | 95,393 | 80.6% |
Most common Kia Sportage advisories
Advisories do not fail the test, but they often become failures by the next MOT. These were noted most often:
- Tread depth 19.6%
- Brake pads 13.7%
- Brake discs 11.4%
- Tyres: condition 9.5%
- Vehicle 8.3%
- Pins and bushes 4.1%
- Service brake performance 2.1%
- Engine oil leaks 1.5%
See MOT advisories explained for what to do about them.
How we worked this out
These figures come from DVSA's anonymised MOT testing data for 2023, covering every class 4 MOT test in Great Britain (cars, taxis and light vans). We count normal tests only, not retests. A test counts as a first-time pass if the vehicle passed without any repairs. Tests where defects were fixed at the test centre within an hour (PRS) count as fails, in line with DVSA's own statistics. Failure areas show the share of tests with at least one failure in that area, so the figures add up to more than the fail rate.
Other Kia models
Similar popular models
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Kia Sportage?
In 2023, 77.0% of Kia Sportage MOT tests were passed first time, from 245,553 tests in Great Britain. The average for all cars, taxis and light vans was 71.4%.
What is the most common MOT failure on the Kia Sportage?
The most common failure area was brakes, which caused 7.7% of tests to fail. Next came tyres (6.2%) and lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (5.3%).
Is the Kia Sportage reliable at its MOT?
Its first-time pass rate of 77.0% is 5.6 points above the average and ranks 24 of the 100 most-tested models. Age and mileage matter more than the model, so always check the history of the car you are buying.
How do I check a Kia Sportage's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT history check. You will see every test, the mileage at each test and all failures and advisories.