2016 KIA Sportage 1.6L Petrol · AF66 AXW

The defining mechanical story of this 2016 Kia Sportage centres on its braking system, which has surfaced as the only recurring concern across its MOT history. The most recent test on 11 September 2025 passed, but flagged both front brake discs as worn, pitted, and scored on their inner edges, alongside a perished offside front tyre with a 3mm tread reading. More significantly, the September 2024 attempt resulted in a failure on a dangerous rear brake pad defect, where pads were recorded at less than 1.5mm thick, compounded by a malfunctioning tyre pressure monitoring system and matching wear on the rear discs. Four days later, the same vehicle returned and passed cleanly with no advisories, suggesting the brake pads, discs, and TPMS were rectified at that point. The return of front disc pitting and tyre deterioration at the 2025 test indicates these components are subject to ongoing wear consistent with a ten-year-old vehicle accumulating real-world mileage, rather than any isolated event. With 97,197 miles recorded over roughly a decade, this Sportage has averaged approximately 9,720 miles annually, which sits comfortably within typical expectations for a vehicle of this age and class. There are no extended gaps in the testing record and no sudden mileage jumps between consecutive tests, pointing to steady, consistent use rather than periods of long-term standing or unusually intensive driving. This usage pattern is mechanically reassuring in some respects, as regular running tends to keep drivetrain seals lubricated and prevents the flat-spotting and corrosion issues that afflict low-mileage or stored vehicles. The mileage level does, however, place this Sportage in the territory where original suspension bushes, coil springs, and engine mounts may be approaching the latter stages of their service life, even where no related advisories have yet appeared on the MOT record. For a prospective buyer, the priority on inspection should be the braking system that has repeatedly attracted examiner attention. On a test drive, listen for any grinding, squealing, or pulsation through the brake pedal, particularly under firm application from higher speeds, which would suggest the replacement discs fitted at the 2024 test have already begun to deteriorate or that the caliper slides are binding. With the offside front tyre already noted as perished at 3mm, inspect all four tyres for sidewall cracking, uneven shoulder wear, and check the manufacturing date stamps, as the advisory implies the rubber compound is breaking down. Verify that the tyre pressure monitoring system is actively functioning by checking that the warning light extinguishes promptly after inflation, and confirm whether a recent sensor replacement has been documented. Beyond the flagged items, a thorough physical inspection should focus on the suspension and underbody, given the mileage and age. Push the vehicle firmly at each corner and listen for clonks or creaks from the front struts, lower arms, and anti-roll bar bushes, as these are common wear points on high-mileage Sportages. Inspect the rear brake discs for any visible lip or rust scoring, and check the rear calipers for seized slider mechanisms, which can cause uneven pad wear similar to what triggered the 2024 dangerous failure. Under the bonnet, look for oil misting around the cam cover and evidence of coolant seepage at the thermostat housing, both known ageing issues on this generation of Sportage. Finally, with the 2025 advisories now over a year old at the point of viewing, confirm whether the front discs and tyre have since been replaced, as further deterioration since the test could easily push those components into failure territory at the next MOT.