2021 KIA Sportage 1.6L Petrol · EK71 KLL

The 2021 Kia Sportage presents a stable but consumable-heavy maintenance profile as of its most recent MOT on 17 September 2025 at 36,153 miles. The vehicle passed, yet the tester flagged all four brake pads as wearing thin, alongside a nearside rear tyre worn close to the legal limit and worn on its edge. This pattern is not new. A year earlier, on 27 September 2024 at 27,812 miles, both front pads were already flagged as wearing thin. The recurrence across consecutive tests indicates a consistent rate of brake wear rather than a sudden mechanical failure, but it does suggest the vehicle has been driven in a manner or environment that consumes friction material faster than average. The trend is stable, not worsening, but it confirms that brake components are a recurring cost item for this particular car. The mileage accumulation of roughly 7,231 miles per year over five years sits squarely within typical UK averages for a vehicle of this age. The gap between the 2024 and 2025 tests shows an increase of 8,341 miles in twelve months, which is slightly above the annualised average but not alarming. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden drops in recorded mileage that would suggest odometer tampering or prolonged periods of disuse. The record is sparse, with only two MOT entries available, so a full long-term service history would be needed to verify whether interim oil changes and brake fluid replacements were carried out on schedule. A buyer inspecting this Sportage in person should focus on the condition of the brake discs and pads, given the repeated advisories. Worn pads often point to scored or lipped discs that may require replacement alongside new friction material. The uneven wear on the nearside rear tyre edge warrants a close look at the rear suspension geometry. A misaligned toe or worn trailing arm bush could be causing the inner or outer shoulder to scrub prematurely. Check the rear calipers for any sign of binding, as a sticking slider can accelerate pad and tyre wear unevenly. Inspect the subframes and suspension mounting points for corrosion, particularly if the vehicle has been used on salted winter roads, as the Sportage's underbody can trap moisture around the rear trailing arm assemblies. A short test drive under light braking will reveal any pulling or judder that confirms uneven disc wear or caliper drag.