2017 KIA Sportage 1.7L Diesel · FX67 LBF

The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a clear trend of reactive rather than preventative care. The most recent test in December 2025 at 46,723 miles flagged multiple advisories including a persistent oil leak, worn brake discs, and a binding offside rear caliper. While the vehicle passed, the recurrence of these issues across several years suggests that components are only addressed when they approach failure limits or trigger an advisory, rather than during scheduled service intervals. At 46,723 miles, the Sportage shows significantly low mileage for its age, averaging approximately 5,200 miles per year. This usage pattern is consistent, with a gap of roughly 2,500 miles recorded between December 2024 and December 2025. However, low-mileage use often correlates with age-related components, which is evidenced by the repeated reports of perishing and cracking tyres noted between 2022 and 2023. The vehicle appears to sit for long periods, leading to rubber degradation despite the low mileage. A buyer must prioritise a close inspection of the engine oil leak, which has been noted since at least November 2022 at 31,284 miles; while the tester described it as not excessive, its persistence indicates a slow gasket or seal failure. The suspension system also requires scrutiny, specifically the offside front upper anti-roll bar linkage which showed severe deterioration in 2024. The binding rear brake noted in 2025 should be checked for a seized caliper or slider pins to prevent premature wear of the discs. Brake maintenance is another recurring area of concern. The vehicle failed its December 2023 test at 38,774 miles due to thin front and rear pads, and advisories for worn discs followed in the 2025 test. Given the history of tyres reaching the legal limit simultaneously or showing signs of cracking, the buyer should verify the current depth and condition of all four tyres. The consistent presence of child seats during tests has also hindered full inspections of the adult seat belts, so a manual check of the bolting mechanisms is necessary to ensure they are functional and secure.