2005 Kia Sportage diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Kia Sportage diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Kia Sportage diesel than on all cars registered in 2005.

• Ball joint1.9× usual
  Kia Sportage

  12.4% All 2005 cars

  6.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 3.2% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Number plate lights1.8× usual
  Kia Sportage

  13.9% All 2005 cars

  7.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 2.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.1× usual
  Kia Sportage

  8.9% All 2005 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.6% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Rust around sub-frame mountings4.3× usual
  Kia Sportage

  5.2% All 2005 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Link ball joint covers2.1× usual
  Kia Sportage

  6.1% All 2005 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.6% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Common 2005 Kia Sportage diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Kia Sportage diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  58% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  42% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Brakes
  40% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Tyres
  32% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  23% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Exhaust and emissions
  16% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Kia Sportage diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2005 Kia Sportage diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2005 Kia Sportage diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2005 Kia Sportage diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?