2016 KIA Sportage 1.7L Diesel · MF66 APU

A broadly consistent pattern of MOT roadworthiness emerges across the seven recorded tests for this 2016 Kia Sportage, with every annual examination resulting in a pass and only three advisories logged over the entire history. The most recent test on 13 October 2025 was a clean pass with no defects recorded, continuing a run of uneventful annual outcomes that stretches back to 2019. The advisory history is sparse and focused: a handbrake travel note in October 2023 and a rear brake pad wear advisory in October 2024, both isolated items rather than recurring concerns on the same components. This is a relatively stable record without escalations, repeat advisories on the same parts, or any recorded failures, which presents a comparatively reassuring picture for a ten-year-old vehicle. The recorded mileage of 65,550 miles against a 2016 registration implies an average annual accumulation of roughly 6,555 miles, which sits close to typical usage levels for a vehicle of this age. There are no unusual gaps in the testing history and no abrupt mileage jumps between recorded tests, suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular use rather than spending extended periods laid up. Continuous operation of this nature tends to keep seals, brake components, and suspension items working through normal service intervals, whereas prolonged standing can accelerate corrosion on brake discs and lead to dried-out suspension bushes. The mileage figure itself places the car squarely in the mid-range of expected wear for a decade-old SUV, meaning consumable items such as brake pads, discs, and tyres should be approaching the latter portion of their service life. For a prospective buyer, the advisory trail points to two specific areas worth scrutinising on inspection. The October 2023 handbrake travel advisory suggests the rear brake mechanism, whether drum or integrated caliper depending on variant, may have been showing adjustment slack at that point, so it is sensible to confirm the handbrake now holds firmly on a slope without excessive lever travel or requiring multiple clicks. The October 2024 rear brake pad wear advisory indicates the pads were nearing the end of useful life a year ago, meaning replacement is highly probable by now and the new pads should be verified along with the condition of the rear brake discs, as worn pads often leave the disc surface scored or lipped. On a test drive, listen for any scraping or metallic noise from the rear under light braking and check for judder through the pedal. Beyond the flagged components, a test drive should focus on the suspension and steering behaviour typical of a Sportage at this mileage. Listen for clonks or knocking from the front suspension over speed bumps, which can indicate worn front lower arm bushes or anti-roll bar drop links, and pay attention to any knocking from the rear over uneven surfaces as the rear trailing arm bushes age. Check for any pulling to one side under braking or uneven steering effort, which could point to a binding brake caliper following the pad change. Finally, inspect the underside for any surface corrosion on suspension arms, subframe, and brake pipe runs, as the MOT record did not flag corrosion advisories but the vehicle is now ten years old, and verify that all previous advisory items have been properly rectified rather than simply allowed to deteriorate further since the last test.