Kia Sportage Platinum MOT pass rate and common problems
91.3% of 2,167 Kia Sportage Platinum MOT tests pass.
The Sportage Platinum passes its MOT 91.3% of the time — well above the average across all Kia models, which sits at 80.1%.
The Kia Sportage Platinum passes its MOT 91.3% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Kia Sportage Platinum?
This is the average across every Kia Sportage Platinum in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Kia’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 95.0% at 0–3 years to 91.3% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 95.0% | 40 | 18,330 miles |
| 3–6 years | 91.3% | 2,127 | 30,267 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Kia Sportage Platinum
The most common reason the Kia Sportage Platinum fails its MOT is visibility — present in 29.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not clear the windscreen effectively".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 29.5% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 27.4% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 21.0% | Too high |
| Brakes | 19.6% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Steering | 8.9% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Suspension | 7.8% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.8% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.1% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.7% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 0.7% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Kia Sportage Platinum: what to check
These checks follow the Kia Sportage Platinum’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Kia Sportage Platinum comes between 0–3 years and 3–6 years old, from 95.0% to 91.3%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 94.5% down to 87.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 29.5% of failed Kia Sportage Platinum MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 27.4% of failed Kia Sportage Platinum MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 21.0% of failed Kia Sportage Platinum MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 19.6% of failed Kia Sportage Platinum MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Steering
Recorded in 8.9% of failed Kia Sportage Platinum MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 1.2% of tests at 3–6 years failed on steering.
The steering should feel precise, without knocks or play, and the car should run straight. Turn to full lock both ways and listen for clunks.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Kia service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Kia models
- Kia Proceed — 84.0% pass rate
- Kia Sedona — 62.3% pass rate
- Kia Stinger — 91.8% pass rate
- Kia Sportage GTLN — 94.2% pass rate
- Kia Picanto X-Line — 92.2% pass rate
- Kia Stonic Connect — 95.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Kia Sportage Platinum?
- 91.3% of Kia Sportage Platinum MOT tests pass, based on 2,167 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Kia Sportage Platinum?
- The most common reason the Kia Sportage Platinum fails its MOT is visibility — present in 29.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not clear the windscreen effectively".
- What are the common problems with the Kia Sportage Platinum?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Kia Sportage Platinum are windscreen and wipers; tyres; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Kia Sportage Platinum?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: windscreen and wipers; tyres; lights and electrics; brakes; steering. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Kia Sportage Platinum's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Kia service history guide for how to check and keep one.