2016 KIA Sportage 1.7L Diesel · GF16 OGM

The vehicle presents a mixed maintenance profile with a recent decline in upkeep quality. While the car maintained a clean record between 2023 and 2024, the October 2025 test at 95,948 miles resulted in a failure due to a non-functional offside headlamp assembly and both front tyres being worn close to the legal limit. Although the vehicle passed immediately following these repairs, the transition from a defect-free 2024 test to multiple failures in 2025 suggests a lapse in routine consumable inspections. The mileage accumulation is consistent with a typical ten-year usage pattern, averaging approximately 9,600 miles per year. The record shows steady progression from 24,908 miles in April 2019 to the current 95,948 miles. This steady climb indicates regular road use rather than long periods of inactivity, which generally helps prevent excessive rubber perishing or fluid stagnation, though it does mean mechanical components are subject to standard wear and tear. A prospective buyer should pay close attention to the braking system and lighting. The October 2022 test at 55,751 miles flagged pitted front brake discs, thin pads, and a slightly binding nearside rear service brake. While these were resolved for subsequent tests, the recurrence of tyre wear issues in 2025 may indicate underlying suspension or alignment problems. I recommend a physical inspection of the front suspension bushes and shock absorbers to ensure the recent tyre wear was not caused by geometry issues. The headlamp failure in 2025 also warrants a check of the electrical connections and bulb housing to ensure the repair was a simple bulb replacement rather than a more complex wiring or unit fault. Given the history of tyre cracking in 2019 and 2022, the condition of all remaining rubber components should be verified for age-related perishing, regardless of remaining tread depth.