2007 Kia Sportage diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2007 Kia Sportage diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2007 Kia Sportage diesel than on all cars registered in 2007.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual
  Kia Sportage

  20.1% All 2007 cars

  10.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 2.2% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Ball joint1.8× usual
  Kia Sportage

  11% All 2007 cars

  6.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 3.1% of all 2007 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 suspension or steering mountings2.2× usual
  Kia Sportage

  8.5% All 2007 cars

  3.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 1.8% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Rust around sub-frame mountings4.2× usual
  Kia Sportage

  4.6% All 2007 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.2% of all 2007 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.

• Seat belts3.2× usual
  Kia Sportage

  4.8% All 2007 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.6% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.

Common 2007 Kia Sportage diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2007 Kia Sportage diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  57% 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.

• Brakes
  41% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  38% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Tyres
  33% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  15% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  15% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2007 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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2007 Kia Sportage diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2007 Kia Sportage diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2007 Kia Sportage diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?