2014 KIA Sportage 1.7L Diesel · FX64 MWO

The vehicle is currently roadworthy following a clean MOT test in September 2025, but the recent maintenance history shows a fluctuating trend regarding suspension components. While the car passed its most recent inspection at 75,728 miles, it failed immediately prior due to excessive wear on both nearside and offside rear axle swivel pins and bushes. This indicates that mechanical faults were addressed only after a failure occurred, suggesting a reactive approach to repairs rather than a preventative maintenance schedule. The mileage pattern is consistent with a low-use vehicle of its age, averaging approximately 6,300 miles per year. Between September 2022 at 59,026 miles and September 2025 at 75,728 miles, the car covered a modest distance over three years. This relatively low annual mileage often leads to the degradation of rubber components, which is evidenced by the recurring advisories for cracking and perishing on the offside rear tyre across 2022, 2023, and 2024. The vehicle likely sits for long periods, which accelerates the drying out of suspension bushes and tyres. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the rear suspension assembly to ensure the axle swivel pins and bushes were replaced with high-quality parts. Given the previous failure on these specific components, checking for play or grease leakage in the rear joints would reveal any sub-standard repair. The history of tyre sidewall cracking suggests that the age of the tyres should be checked against the manufacture date, as tread depth remains deceptive despite low mileage. Additionally, the handbrake travel was noted as a concern in 2024, which should be verified to ensure the mechanism remains within operational parameters.