2018 KIA Sportage 1.7L Diesel · LG18 XBD

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, though the maintenance trend indicates a reactive rather than proactive approach. While the most recent test in December 2025 at 59,675 miles passed with only a minor advisory for a deteriorated rear registration plate, this followed a failure in January of that same year. The transition from a failure to a pass within a 6,000-mile interval suggests that the previous owner only addressed mechanical defects once they threatened the annual test certificate. The mileage pattern is consistent with an eight-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 7,500 miles per year. Data shows a steady progression from 36,990 miles in February 2023 to 46,347 miles in January 2024, and reaching 53,525 miles by early 2025. This low annual usage suggests the car has not been subjected to heavy long-distance stress, but it also increases the likelihood of aging rubber components and fluids if the vehicle has sat for extended periods between services. A buyer should specifically inspect the braking system and front-end suspension components. The January 2025 failure flagged thin offside front brake pads and a parking brake lever with excessive movement, indicating that the braking mechanism was nearing its service limit. Furthermore, both the nearside and offside front tyres were noted as worn on the edge at that time, which often points to alignment issues or worn suspension bushes. A physical check of the current tyre tread and a test of the handbrake tension are necessary to ensure these issues have not recurred.