(2022 registrations)
(2020–21 registrations)
at test
warranty
The Sportage has been Britain’s second best-selling new car since 2024, with 47,788 registrations in 2025. On MOT data a 2022 car already outperforms most rivals. But the reason to buy this particular year used is structural rather than mechanical: Kia’s seven-year warranty transfers to subsequent owners, so a 2022 car can still have around three years of factory cover left. That changes the risk calculation more than any defect on this page.
Figures are derived from the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset, published under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Every MOT records the test outcome plus each defect as a coded “reason for rejection” or advisory.
Percentages are share of tests, not share of failures — so “2.6% tyre tread” means 2.6 in every 100 tests failed for that item. A single test can record several defects, so the columns do not sum to 100%.
A UK car does not need its first MOT until it is three years old, so a 2022 registration reached its first test in 2025. Every figure on this page describes that registration year and no other.
The cars behind the figure below were therefore tested at or before that first due date, so the sample is small and early. Treat it as directional rather than settled.
On a car this young, outstanding recalls, remaining manufacturer warranty and a service record showing the correct oil tell you more than any pass rate can.
Top MOT failure items
These are the defects that actually caused a Kia Sportage (2022) to fail its MOT, ranked by how often they appear across all tests.
Most common MOT advisories
Advisories are the early-warning layer. They don’t fail the car, but they tell you what the next owner will be paying for — and they are the single most useful thing to read before you buy.
| Advisory item | Share of tests | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre worn close to legal limit | 11.7% | Large alloys make replacement costly. |
| Brake pads wearing thin | 9.3% | Budget £170–£320 per axle. |
| Brake disc lightly corroded | 5.4% | Common on cars that sit unused. |
| Suspension bush slight deterioration | 4.1% | Early wear only at this age. |
| Wiper blade deteriorated | 3.2% | The No.4 failure item starts here. |
| Engine oil leak (not excessive) | 2.3% | Investigate on a car this young. |
| Brake fluid contaminated | 1.9% | Due for a change around three years. |
| Exhaust minor corrosion | 1.4% | Surface corrosion only. |
| Ball joint dust cover deteriorated | 1.2% | Cheap now, joint later. |
| Coil spring corroded | 0.8% | Uncommon at this age. |
Which system fails most
Grouping every recorded defect by vehicle system shows where the money goes on a three-year-old Sportage.
Across more than 415,000 MOT tests on all Kia Sportage generations, the pass rate is 81% — above average for its class. Hybrid variants pass at 87.1% against 79.3% for diesels. Median mileage at test is 41,696 miles and the average repair bill is around £119. Of failures, 60.3% are safety items but only 4.7% would strand the driver.
Newer cars are markedly better: 2022 registrations pass at 90.4%, and 2020–2021 cars at 87%, against 78.6% for 2015 cars.
Model averages describe the model. Enter the registration to see this car’s real MOT history, every recorded advisory, its mileage timeline and any finance, theft or write-off markers.
The warranty is the main event
On most used cars you inspect to manage risk. On a Sportage you should first establish what the manufacturer is still covering, because Kia’s warranty is unusually long and, critically, it transfers with the car.
- Kia’s seven-year warranty transfers to subsequent owners — unusual, and worth real money on a 2022 car.
- Hybrid models add a battery warranty of 8 years / 160,000 km with a 70% capacity guarantee.
- A 2022 NQ5 can therefore still carry several years of factory cover, which offsets most of the risk on this page.
- Verify remaining cover by VIN with a Kia dealer, not by taking the seller’s word.
- The warranty depends on servicing being completed on time. Gaps can invalidate cover.
- Ask for the full service record before assuming the warranty is intact.
- Warranty covers defects, not wear items — tyres, pads and discs remain yours.
- Those wear items are exactly what the MOT failure list above consists of.
Known faults the MOT won’t catch
The MOT tests roadworthiness, not mechanical health. These are the expensive items owners actually report — costs are indicative UK independent-specialist ranges, not quotes.
Pre-purchase checklist
Work through this in order. The first few cost nothing and rule out most bad cars.
- Confirm remaining warranty by VIN with a Kia dealer. This is the single most valuable check on this car.
- Check both 2022 recalls — the tow hitch harness and the instrument panel — have been completed.
- Get the full service record. Missed services can invalidate the seven-year cover.
- On hybrids, ask about any ICCU or ‘check hybrid system’ history and whether work was done under warranty.
- Inspect tyres and pads closely — they are the top three MOT failure items and are not covered by warranty.
- Check the 12V battery, particularly on a hybrid that has stood unused.
- Do not rely on MOT history for 2023-onwards cars; many have none.
- Verify finance and write-off status before money changes hands.
FAQs
Is the Kia Sportage reliable?
Yes, on the available data. It passes MOT at 81% across all generations, and 2022 registrations reach 90.4%. Hybrids outperform diesels by nearly eight percentage points. The seven-year transferable warranty also means many faults are still the manufacturer's problem rather than yours.
Does the Kia 7-year warranty transfer to me?
Yes. Kia's warranty transfers to subsequent owners, which is unusual and adds real value to a used Sportage. It does depend on servicing having been carried out on schedule, so ask for the full record and confirm remaining cover by VIN with a dealer.
What is the Kia Sportage ICCU problem?
The Integrated Charging Control Unit manages DC-DC conversion that keeps the 12V system charged from the hybrid battery. Failures cause a 'Stop safely and check power supply' warning, a depleted 12V battery and sometimes a no-start. It affects hybrid and plug-in hybrid NQ5 models and is normally addressed under warranty.
What recalls affect the 2022 Kia Sportage?
Two are worth checking. An August 2022 recall covered voltage instability that could leave the instrument panel unlit on 2022-2023 cars. A September 2022 recall covered a tow hitch harness fire risk on 2017-2022 cars fitted with a tow hitch. Both are free to rectify.
What fails a Kia Sportage MOT most often?
Tyre tread depth at 3.0% of tests, then brake pads at 2.5% and worn suspension components at 2.4%. All are routine wear items rather than design faults, and none are covered by the warranty.
A CarCheckReport covers MOT and advisory history, mileage anomalies, outstanding finance, insurance write-off records, stolen markers, import and scrapped status — using DVLA, DVSA and Experian data.