Part of the Kia Sportage Mk3 (2010–2016) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2012 Kia Sportage diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Kia Sportage first registered in 2012 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 32,227 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

32,227MOTs of 2012 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
61%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%)
8,200typical miles a year
1.6×the usual rate for brake pads

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Kia Sportage diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Kia Sportage diesel than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Brake pads1.6× usual
    Kia Sportage
    15.8% All 2012 cars
    9.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.3% of all 2012 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 joint1.9× usual
    Kia Sportage
    9.9% All 2012 cars
    5.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 2.9% of all 2012 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.

  • Track rod ends1.9× usual
    Kia Sportage
    8.3% All 2012 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2.2% of all 2012 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.

  • Braking performance1.8× usual
    Kia Sportage
    8.6% All 2012 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Better than most

Exhaust system: 0.3% here, against 5% of all 2012 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 0.5% here, against 5% of all 2012 cars.

Common 2012 Kia Sportage diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Kia Sportage diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    42% 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
    36% 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
    24% 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 2012 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.

  • 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 2012 Kia Sportage diesel

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

  1. Has it ever lost power?
  2. Was the seatbelt recall done?
  3. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2012 Kia Sportage diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2012 Kia Sportage diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2012 Kia Sportage diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Kia Sportage?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Kia Sportage compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
20231,976Tyres 12%
202231,074Tyres 19%
202154,661Tyres 24%
202056,872Tyres 26%
201997,946Tyres 28%
201899,630Tyres 31%
2017108,402Tyres 31%
2016109,730Tyres 31%
201562,005Tyres 33%
201456,529Brakes 34%
201352,926Suspension 38%
201122,344Suspension 44%
201012,119Suspension 48%
20096,726Suspension 52%
20084,342Suspension 55%
20073,919Suspension 57%
20063,321Suspension 58%
20053,558Suspension 58%
2003–Too few tests
2002–Too few tests
2001–Too few tests
2000–Too few tests
1999–Too few tests
1998–Too few tests
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Kia Sportage cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score