At a Glance
The Kia Sportage has 15 identified common problems across 5 generations, with the Mk3 (2010-2015) being the most affected generation and tyres & wheels the most common problem category. Based on 1.8M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Kia Sportage common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Kia Sportage generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Kia Sportage Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Mk1
Most common MOT failure: Brake hydraulic component worn
Mk2
Top issue: Compression ignition emissions above threshold
Mk3
Top issue: Track rod end worn
Mk4
Top issue: Electronic parking brake fault
Mk5
Most common MOT failure: Wiper blades deteriorated
Most Common Kia Sportage MOT Failures
Every reason Kia Sportage vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 10.11% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 10.01% |
| 3 | Brake pads or linings worn | 9.05% |
| 4 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 8.51% |
| 5 | Tyre condition | 5.54% |
| 6 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.94% |
| 7 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.51% |
| 8 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 3.48% |
| 9 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.40% |
| 10 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 3.29% |
| 11 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.41% |
| 12 | Track rod end worn | 2.39% |
| 13 | Exhaust system fault | 2.06% |
| 14 | Stop lamp not working | 1.91% |
| 15 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.85% |
| 16 | Headlamp fault | 1.83% |
| 17 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 1.82% |
| 18 | Front lamp not working | 1.79% |
| 19 | Position lamp not working | 1.44% |
| 20 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.44% |
| 21 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.21% |
| 22 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.13% |
| 23 | Driveshaft fault | 1.03% |
| 24 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.98% |
| 25 | Indicator fault | 0.93% |
| 26 | Front suspension fault | 0.83% |
| 27 | Headlamp aim defect | 0.77% |
| 28 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.72% |
| 29 | Brake lever fault | 0.66% |
| 30 | Seat belt condition | 0.64% |
| 31 | Airbag warning light on | 0.58% |
| 32 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.58% |
| 33 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.42% |
| 34 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.42% |
| 35 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.41% |
| 36 | Parking brake condition | 0.41% |
| 37 | ABS fault | 0.37% |
| 38 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.37% |
| 39 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.31% |
| 40 | Fog lamp not working | 0.31% |
| 41 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.28% |
| 42 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.28% |
| 43 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.26% |
| 44 | Chassis condition | 0.24% |
| 45 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.23% |
| 46 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.23% |
| 47 | Brake pedal fault | 0.19% |
| 48 | Horn not working | 0.18% |
| 49 | Steering rack fault | 0.17% |
| 50 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.16% |
| 51 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.15% |
| 52 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.13% |
| 53 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.12% |
| 54 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.11% |
| 55 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.10% |
| 56 | Rear lamp not working | 0.10% |
| 57 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.10% |
| 58 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.09% |
| 59 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.09% |
| 60 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.09% |
| 61 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.09% |
| 62 | Brake caliper fault | 0.09% |
| 63 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.08% |
| 64 | Brake fluid leak | 0.08% |
| 65 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.08% |
| 66 | Engine oil leak | 0.07% |
| 67 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.06% |
| 68 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.06% |
| 69 | Drag link end worn | 0.05% |
| 70 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.05% |
| 71 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.05% |
| 72 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.05% |
| 73 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.05% |
| 74 | Steering lock fault | 0.05% |
| 75 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.04% |
| 76 | Rear suspension fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Propshaft fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.04% |
| 79 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 80 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.03% |
| 81 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.03% |
| 82 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 83 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Electrical switch fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.03% |
| 86 | Driver airbag fault | 0.03% |
| 87 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 88 | Front passenger door fault | 0.03% |
| 89 | Steering box fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Towbar fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 92 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 93 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Steering arm worn | 0.02% |
| 96 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 97 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 99 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 101 | Transmission oil leak | 0.01% |
| 102 | Radius arm worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 103 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 104 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.01% |
| 105 | Power steering ram fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 107 | Steering free play excessive | 0.01% |
| 108 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.01% |
| 109 | Body security fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Handbrake cable fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 113 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 115 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 120 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 121 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 123 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 126 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 131 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 132 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 139 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 140 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 141 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 143 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 144 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 150 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 151 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 152 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 153 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 155 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 156 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 159 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 160 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 166 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 167 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 169 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 170 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 171 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 172 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 173 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 179 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 181 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 182 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 183 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 184 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 187 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 188 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 188 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Kia Sportage MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Kia Sportage, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Kia Sportage problems?
Based on analysis of 1.8M Kia Sportage MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 15 identified common problems across 5 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Track rod end worn". Tyres & Wheels is the most common problem category.
Which Kia Sportage generation has the most problems?
The Kia Sportage Mk3 (2010-2015) (2010–2015) has the highest number of identified common problems (10). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Kia Sportage?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Kia Sportage owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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