2023 Kia Sportage hybrid: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2023 Kia Sportage hybrid?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2023 Kia Sportage hybrid than on all cars registered in 2023.

• Wipers2.1× usual
  Kia Sportage

  2.7% All 2023 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.7% of all 2023 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

Common 2023 Kia Sportage hybrid MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2023 Kia Sportage hybrid MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  12% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Brakes
  2% 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
  2% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  1% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2023 Kia Sportage hybrid

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.

• Vacuum pump drive gear damage

  Mild-hybrid versions

  On mild-hybrid cars, the starter-generator puts a heavy load on the engine as it starts, which can damage the brake vacuum pump's drive gear. If the pump fails, the brake pedal needs much more force. Kia's fix is an engine ECU software update that softens the load during start-up.

  At the viewing: Ask a Kia dealer to confirm the engine software update has been applied. On the test drive, check that the brake pedal feels normal and doesn't go hard.

  Source: What Car?: used Kia Sportage (2022-present) reliability

• Digital instrument cluster boot errors

  Some cars

  On some cars, the digital instrument display failed to start up properly, caused by its software combined with electrical interference when the engine starts. Kia fixed it with a software upgrade for the cluster.

  At the viewing: Start the car several times from cold and make sure the instrument display comes on properly every time.

  Source: What Car?: used Kia Sportage (2022-present) reliability

• Infotainment glitches and warning lights

  Mainly hybrid models

  Owners have reported occasional infotainment glitches and dashboard warning lights, mainly on hybrid models. Some also reported dealer delays in getting parts for hybrid versions.

  At the viewing: Test the touchscreen, phone connection and navigation, and look for any warning lights after starting the car.

  Source: What Car?: used Kia Sportage (2022-present) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2023 Kia Sportage hybrid

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

1. Has Kia applied the engine software update for the vacuum pump? Has the brake pedal ever gone hard?
2. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2023 Kia Sportage hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?