MOT failure data · 2025
Kia Sportage MOT problems
Across every Kia Sportage that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, on 9.47% of failure items. The broadest problem area was brakes at 30.17%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.
Most common Kia Sportage MOT failures
| # | Recorded defect | Area | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 9.47% |
| 2 | Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.45% |
| 3 | Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 5.15% |
| 4 | Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively | Visibility | 4.17% |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 3.71% |
| 6 | Track rod end ball joint has excessive play | Steering | 3.71% |
| 7 | Condition has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 3.49% |
| 8 | Ball joint ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 2.98% |
| 9 | Parking brake performance inoperative on one side | Brakes | 2.33% |
| 10 | Coil spring fractured or broken | Suspension | 2.21% |
Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.
What this means if you are buying one
Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Kia Sportage, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.
The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Kia Sportage buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.
Checking a specific Kia Sportage?
Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.
Other Kia models
- Kia Picanto MOT problems
- Kia Ceed MOT problems
- Kia Niro MOT problems
- Kia RIO MOT problems
- Kia Venga MOT problems
- Kia Sorento MOT problems
Kia Sportage MOT FAQs
What does a Kia Sportage most commonly fail its MOT on?
The single most recorded defect on Kia Sportage cars failing their 2025 MOT was "tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", appearing on 9.47% of failure items.
Does this mean my Kia Sportage will fail?
No. This is what testers recorded across every Kia Sportage that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Kia Sportage passed 80.57% of its initial tests.
How do I see a specific Kia Sportage's MOT history?
Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.
See also: Kia Sportage MOT pass rate · used Kia Sportage buying guide · free MOT history check
Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.