2021 KIA Sportage 1.6L Petrol · AV71 MJY

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2021 Kia Sportage was conducted on 19 November 2025 and resulted in a Pass, with two advisories recorded against the nearside and offside front tyres, both noted as being worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge. The previous test on 11 November 2024 also resulted in a Pass, accompanied only by an advisory relating to items removed from the driver's view prior to test, specifically a dashcam and associated wiring, which is not a mechanical concern. With no advisory-free baseline test following the 2024 entry, the maintenance trend appears broadly stable, though the progression of the front tyre wear advisories should be monitored. The lack of any advisories relating to brakes, suspension, exhaust, or structural corrosion across both tests is a positive indicator for a five-year-old vehicle, suggesting no significant wear-related deterioration has been flagged by the tester. The recorded mileage of 11,955 miles against a five-year vehicle age equates to an annual usage of approximately 2,391 miles, which is considerably below the national average and indicates that this Sportage has likely seen extended periods of inactivity or only very light, short-journey use. Low annual mileage of this nature reduces wear on major drivetrain components such as the engine, clutch, and gearbox, but it introduces its own set of mechanical concerns. Vehicles that stand for prolonged periods are vulnerable to brake disc corrosion, which can lead to binding calipers and a tendency for the brakes to feel sluggish or juddering on initial application. Rubber components, including drive belts, coolant hoses, suspension bushes, and tyre sidewalls, can perish or degrade through age rather than use, and the battery is likely to have suffered repeated shallow discharge cycles, all of which warrant close inspection regardless of the modest odometer reading. Given the very low mileage and the front tyre edge-wear advisories, the tyres should be inspected carefully for uneven wear patterns, sidewall cracking or perishing from age, and for any feathering or scalloping that could indicate an underlying tracking or suspension geometry issue. The fact that both front tyres were flagged simultaneously suggests a consistent wear pattern rather than a one-off defect, so it would be prudent to verify the condition of the wheel alignment and to inspect the front suspension components, including wishbone bushes, track rod ends, and drop links, for play or deterioration. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and pay attention to steering wander or pulling to either side, which would corroborate uneven tyre wear or suspension wear. Beyond the advisories, a prospective buyer should perform several age-and-stand-based checks. The 12-volt battery should be load-tested, as low-mileage vehicles frequently suffer premature battery failure due to chronic undercharging from short journeys, and a flat or weak battery can mask underlying electronic faults during a test drive. Brake discs should be examined for surface rust, and the vehicle should be driven to a standstill from a moderate speed to confirm that the brakes bite cleanly without shudder, which would indicate corrosion pitting rather than merely surface oxidation. All fluid conditions, including brake fluid (which is hygroscopic and degrades over time regardless of mileage), coolant, and the automatic or manual transmission oil if applicable, should be verified for age and condition. Finally, the service history should be examined to confirm that time-based servicing items such as brake fluid replacement, cabin filter changes, and coolant renewal have been carried out at the correct intervals, as mileage-based service schedules alone will not address the calendar-age degradation that this vehicle is likely to have experienced.