2017 KIA Sportage 1.7L Diesel · FG66 YEF

A pattern of brake-related advisories, culminating in a dangerous front brake pad failure in early 2023, defines the mechanical history of this 2017 Kia Sportage. The 2023-02-07 test recorded front brake pads at less than 1.5 mm thick, a defect categorised as dangerous under the MOT inspection manual, alongside a rear brake pad advisory noting thin friction material. The vehicle was re-presented the following day and passed, with the rear pad advisory still standing. Since that episode, the MOT record has stabilised: the 2024 test was a clean pass with no advisories, and the most recent examination on 2026-01-30 also recorded no defects, suggesting the braking system has not generated further advisories in the intervening period. A separate parking brake lever defect was flagged as a major failure in January 2021 due to excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment, though this has not recurred in subsequent tests. The recorded mileage of 45,152 miles across nine years equates to roughly 5,017 miles per annum, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age and typical usage band. Annual mileage figures in the mid-four figures over a near-decade period suggest either predominantly short-trip use or extended periods of standing. Mechanically, this kind of profile tends to produce uneven wear patterns; brake discs and calipers can suffer corrosion and binding through infrequent operation, rubber components such as suspension bushes, dampers, and drive belts can harden and crack from underuse, and the 12V battery is more likely to have suffered repeated partial discharge cycles. The MOT history itself shows consistent annual testing from 2021 onwards with no significant gaps, indicating the vehicle has remained on the road throughout the recorded period despite the low accumulated mileage. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the braking system that has featured most heavily in the test history. On a test drive, listen for any grinding, squealing, or pulsing through the pedal during moderate braking, as the 2023 dangerous pad reading suggests the discs may have sustained scoring or wear at that point. Inspect the front discs visually for lipping or surface rust that has not cleaned off after driving, and check that the caliper slide pins move freely by hand if accessible. Verify the handbrake holds firmly on an incline, given the 2021 parking brake adjustment failure, and ensure the lever travel feels consistent rather than loose or requiring excessive pulls. Given the low annual mileage, the tyres flagged as edge-worn on both front corners in February 2025 merit close inspection. Uneven edge wear on a light-use vehicle often points to suspension geometry issues rather than simple mileage degradation, so check for uneven tyre wear across the full set and pay attention to any steering pull, vague on-centre feel, or knocking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces. Listen for any clonks or rattles from the rear brake calipers when releasing the handbrake, as binding rear calipers are common on low-mileage vehicles and can cause the rear pads noted as thin in 2023 to wear prematurely. Finally, confirm that all warning lamps extinguish promptly on start-up and that the cooling system shows no signs of recent leak repair, as low-mileage vehicles often present with perished rubber coolant hoses rather than internally worn parts.