2018 KIA Sportage 2.0L Diesel · JM04 AAA

The vehicle's roadworthiness status is currently passable, as the most recent MOT test on 2026-02-20 at 95,183 miles was passed, indicating that the mechanical condition has remained stable over the last two years. However, the maintenance history reveals a clear deterioration pattern: the most recent test on this date was preceded by two failed inspections, which suggests that basic upkeep was likely skipped during the ownership period. This sequence of failures indicates a trend of worsening condition rather than improvement, implying that the vehicle has not been adequately maintained since the 2022-02-15 test. The mileage data supports a pattern of rapid accumulation and wear, particularly concerning suspension and drivetrain components. The 2024-02-19 test at 75,447 miles was followed by a 2023-02-17 test at 61,309 miles, representing a significant gap of 14,138 miles between the two most recent assessments. This gap, combined with the 11,898 miles per year average, suggests that the vehicle has experienced accelerated wear on suspension bushes, coil springs, and binding calipers. The lack of any recorded defects in the earlier 2025-01-28 and 2022-02-15 tests, despite the high mileage, highlights a lack of proactive intervention that could have prevented severe damage. Based on these findings, a buyer should inspect the vehicle's suspension and brakes in person immediately. The most critical risk is the binding condition of the rear brakes, which has been flagged twice on the MOT record, indicating that the brake discs may be worn thin or the binding calipers may be binding. Structural integrity must also be assessed, as the 2024-02-19 test noted that the rear tyre is worn close to the legal limit, which is a sign of imminent failure. Given the history of two failed tests and the rapid mileage increase, the vehicle is likely to fail the MOT in the future unless the owner takes immediate action to replace worn parts and address the binding calipers.