2018 KIA Sportage 1.6L Petrol · MA68 AHX

The 1.6-litre petrol Sportage typically returns around 35-40 mpg in real-world driving, with CO2 emissions of around 156-165 g/km depending on specification, placing it in VED band G or H. Annual road tax for a petrol vehicle in this band is £165 to £190 under current rates. Insurance for a 2018 Sportage 1.6 petrol is generally group 13-15, so a typical annual premium for a standard driver would be in the £400-£600 range.

Routine maintenance for this model is reasonably affordable — an annual service with oil and filter change typically costs £150-£220 at an independent garage, with a major service (including spark plugs, air filter, and brake fluid) around £300-£400. Tyres for the Sportage are a common size and cost around £80-£120 each fitted. Brakes (a top failure category for this model overall) tend to need replacement around 40,000-60,000 miles, so on this low-mileage example they should have plenty of life remaining. Based on fuel, tax, insurance, and maintenance, a realistic annual running cost estimate is £1,400-£1,800.

Start with the items flagged on the most recent MOT. Check the nearside front tyre for any sidewall cracking or bulging, and inspect both rear shock absorbers for corrosion — light surface corrosion is acceptable, but pitting that has started to eat into the metal warrants replacement. The wiper blades should be in good condition and clearing the screen effectively; if the blades have just been replaced, that's reassuring, but if they look worn again so soon after an MOT, it could indicate poor previous maintenance.

Because the mileage is unusually low for an eight-year-old car, pay particular attention to signs of infrequent use. Look for uneven tyre wear (which can indicate the car has been sitting), check the battery with a proper load test (these can fail on low-use vehicles), and inspect the exhaust for internal corrosion caused by condensation building up during short journeys. Also check the oil on the dipstick — if it appears dark and sludgy despite low mileage, this could suggest infrequent oil changes.

Finally, the model's aggregate data shows that tyres, brake pads, and brake discs are the top MOT failure reasons across the Sportage range. Even though this specific vehicle has covered few miles, inspect all four brake discs for lipping and the pad material for adequate remaining thickness. Check the front tyres for inner-edge wear, which on a front-wheel-drive SUV can indicate worn suspension bushes or tracking issues.