2018 KIA Sportage 1.6L Petrol · 12 XMB

The 2018 Kia Sportage holds a valid MOT pass certificate dated 5 February 2026 at 88,303 miles, but the maintenance trend is not reassuring. The vehicle failed the previous day on 4 February 2026 at 88,294 miles for elevated exhaust emissions, specifically hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, and lambda readings outside manufacturer limits, before passing a retest just nine miles later. This pattern of failing and passing within 24 hours on identical advisories suggests the underlying emissions fault may not have been fully rectified, only masked temporarily. The tester also flagged worn front brake pads with uneven wear, a worn and pitted front brake disc, cracking rear tyres, an inner-edge-worn offside front tyre, a nearside rear parking brake barely meeting efficiency, and a minor oil leak. These are not isolated issues. The parking brake has appeared as an advisory or failure item in every single test since at least February 2024, indicating a persistent fault that has never been properly repaired. The mileage progression tells a story of consistent but slightly accelerating use. Between the February 2024 test at 63,478 miles and the February 2025 test at 77,930 miles, the vehicle covered 14,452 miles in 12 months. The following year, from February 2025 to February 2026, it added 10,373 miles. The annualised rate sits around 11,000 miles, which is typical for a vehicle of this age and suggests regular daily use rather than long periods of standing. There are no alarming gaps in the MOT record that would indicate the car sat unused for extended periods, and the mileage accumulation is steady and believable. A buyer should approach this vehicle with caution and conduct a thorough in-person inspection focused on the braking system and exhaust. The repeated parking brake deficiency across multiple tests points to a mechanical issue, likely a seized or binding rear caliper, stretched cables, or maladjusted rear drum-in-hat parking brake shoes. The uneven front brake pad wear reinforces this suspicion, as it often indicates a sticking caliper slide pin or a binding piston. The front brake disc described as worn and pitted in the most recent test should be measured for minimum thickness and checked for lipping. The cracking rear tyres flagged in both 2025 and 2026 tests suggest the vehicle has been running on aged rubber for at least 16 months, raising questions about whether the owner deferred basic consumable replacements. The oil leak, described as not excessive, should be traced to its source, as even minor leaks on a 2018 Sportage can originate from the rocker cover gasket or crankshaft oil seal and worsen over time. The exhaust emissions failure is the most concerning item. A retest pass the following day does not confirm a lasting repair. A buyer should request a live emissions reading and inspect the catalytic converter and lambda sensors for signs of replacement or tampering. The rear suspension should also be examined, as the recurring tyre cracking and inner-edge wear on the offside front can indicate worn suspension bushes or incorrect tracking geometry that has gone unaddressed.