2009 Kia Sportage petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Kia Sportage petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Kia Sportage petrol than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Exhaust system2.5× usual
  Kia Sportage

  19.7% All 2009 cars

  7.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, against 2.2% of all 2009 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 joints2.1× usual
  Kia Sportage

  22.1% All 2009 cars

  10.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 2.2% of all 2009 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.

• Brake pads1.9× usual
  Kia Sportage

  16.9% All 2009 cars

  8.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Sub-frame1.9× usual
  Kia Sportage

  11% All 2009 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.4% of all 2009 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.

• Track rod ends1.8× usual
  Kia Sportage

  8.8% All 2009 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 2.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

Common 2009 Kia Sportage petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Kia Sportage petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  52% 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
  42% 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
  33% 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
  22% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  13% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 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 2009 Kia Sportage petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2009 Kia Sportage petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2009 Kia Sportage petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?