2015 KIA Sportage 2.0L Diesel · LN65 YRL

The overall roadworthiness trend for this 2015 Kia Sportage shows a clear worsening in basic upkeep, culminating in a test failure just four months ago. The February 2026 test at 75,018 miles initially failed due to an insecure battery posing a short circuit risk and worn inner edges on both rear tyres. While the vehicle subsequently passed later that same day after rectification, the sudden appearance of an electrical securing fault and uneven tyre wear indicates a recent drop in maintenance standards. Previous years returned clean passes or minor advisories, making this abrupt failure a notable deviation from an otherwise stable history. Mileage accumulation aligns closely with typical usage for an eleven-year-old SUV, averaging roughly 6,800 miles annually across the recorded timeline. The odometer climbed from 50,754 miles in January 2023 to 75,018 miles by February 2026. This 24,264-mile spread over three years reflects consistent, steady driving rather than periods of neglectful standing or extreme fleet use. No unusual gaps or sudden mileage spikes appear in the data, suggesting the drivetrain and chassis have endured predictable, continuous wear rather than abusive or idle conditions. Recurring tyre wear patterns dominate the MOT history and demand close scrutiny. The January 2023 test at 50,754 miles flagged both front tyres for wearing close to the legal limit on their edges. By February 2026, the exact same edge wear defect appeared on both rear inner tyres. This repeated edge wear across different axles strongly suggests underlying alignment issues, worn suspension bushes, or a failure to rotate and inflate the tyres properly. A buyer must thoroughly inspect the four-wheel alignment and current tyre condition, as replacing rubber without addressing the root cause will only repeat the cycle. Beyond the tyres, the February 2024 test at 58,995 miles noted slight play in both front anti-roll bar linkage ball joints. Although this advisory did not reappear in 2025 or 2026, drop links degrade progressively and frequently become noisy before failing completely. The insecure battery flagged in the most recent failure also warrants a physical check of the battery clamp and tray condition. A prospective buyer should verify the current security of the battery, assess the front drop links for any advanced play or knocking, and commission a full suspension geometry check to resolve the persistent uneven tyre wear.