2008 Kia Sportage petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Kia Sportage petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Kia Sportage petrol than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Exhaust system2.5× usual
  Kia Sportage

  21.4% All 2008 cars

  8.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 2.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual
  Kia Sportage

  21.1% All 2008 cars

  10.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.3% of all 2008 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.

• Sub-frame2.3× usual
  Kia Sportage

  13.6% All 2008 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 0.4% of all 2008 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.

• Transmission oil leaks4.1× usual
  Kia Sportage

  4.9% All 2008 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Rust around sub-frame mountings3.8× usual
  Kia Sportage

  4.2% All 2008 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.2% of all 2008 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.

Common 2008 Kia Sportage petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Kia Sportage petrol 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.

• Brakes
  44% 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
  40% 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
  30% 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
  24% 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 an engine warning light.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  11% 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 2008 Kia Sportage petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2008 Kia Sportage petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2008 Kia Sportage petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2008 Kia Sportage petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?