2011 Kia Sportage diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Kia Sportage diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Kia Sportage diesel than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.6× usual
  Kia Sportage

  15.9% All 2011 cars

  9.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 2.1% of all 2011 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 pads1.6× usual
  Kia Sportage

  15.6% All 2011 cars

  9.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 2.3% of all 2011 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.

• Ball joint2× usual
  Kia Sportage

  11.4% All 2011 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 3.1% of all 2011 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.4× usual
  Kia Sportage

  8.7% All 2011 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.4% of all 2011 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 2011 Kia Sportage diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Kia Sportage diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  45% 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
  37% 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
  36% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  6% 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.

Known faults on the 2011 Kia Sportage diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Brake light switch recall

  Built up to Sept 2011

  Cars built up to September 2011 were recalled for a brake light switch that could affect stability control, cruise control and automatic gear selection.

  At the viewing: Ask a Kia dealer to check the VIN.

  Source: Auto Express: used Kia Sportage Mk3 buyer's guide

• Loss of power (1.7 CRDi)

  1.7 CRDi diesel

  Some 1.7 diesels lose power. Low coolant is a common cause; a fuel filter can also help.

  At the viewing: Check the coolant level and look for leaks.

  Source: Auto Express: used Kia Sportage Mk3 buyer's guide

• Seatbelt pre-tensioner recall

  Built Aug 2011 to Mar 2012

  Cars built August 2011 to March 2012 were recalled for seatbelt pre-tensioners.

  At the viewing: Ask a Kia dealer to check the VIN.

  Source: Auto Express: used Kia Sportage Mk3 buyer's guide

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Kia Sportage diesel

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

1. Was the brake light switch recall done?
2. Has it ever lost power?
3. Was the seatbelt recall done?
4. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2011 Kia Sportage diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2011 Kia Sportage diesel as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2011 Kia Sportage diesel as on other cars the same age.)