2018 KIA Sportage 1.6L Petrol · MW18 FMP

A clear pattern of consumable wear, particularly at the front axle, dominates the MOT history of this 2018 Kia Sportage. The most recent test on 17 June 2026 recorded a clean pass with no advisories, and the prior test on 12 June 2025 was equally clean, suggesting that the more persistent front-end wear issues flagged in earlier years had been resolved by replacement. However, the earlier record is less uniform. A dangerous failure on 13 May 2021 was recorded against the nearside front tyre for tread depth below 1.6mm, accompanied by advisories on the offside front tyre for edge wear and on both rear tyres for cracking and perishing. Two years later on 1 July 2023, an advisory was issued for front brake pads wearing thin. The June 2024 test then repeated the tyre advisory pattern, noting both front tyres worn close to the legal limit and on the edge. A more serious single failure occurred on 28 April 2022 with a Major defect for a serious fluid leak from the nearside rear shock absorber, though the vehicle passed the following day with no recorded defects, indicating the component was addressed promptly. The advisory profile therefore points to repeated front-end consumable attention, with one isolated suspension incident now over four years old. Mileage on this vehicle stands at 70,910 miles across eight years, which equates to an average accumulation of around 8,864 miles per year. This figure sits comfortably within the typical annual range for a vehicle of this age, neither suggesting extended periods of standing nor particularly intensive use. The testing cadence is regular, with annual entries from 2021 onwards and no multi-year gaps in the DVSA record, which is consistent with a car that has remained in continuous road use throughout its recorded life. At this rate of accumulation, wear on consumable items such as tyres, brake pads and discs, and suspension components is expected to be progressive rather than accelerated, and the recorded advisories align broadly with what would be anticipated for a Sportage at this mileage point. For a prospective buyer, the recurring front tyre edge wear warrants direct attention on inspection. Edge wear on 215/70/16 tyres, as flagged in 2021 and 2024, can indicate incorrect tracking, worn front suspension bushes, or sagging coil springs allowing uneven camber loading. On a test drive, listen for knocking or clonking from the front suspension over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, and check for steering pull to one side or uneven steering effort when turning. Inspect the sidewalls of all four tyres closely for perishing or cracking, as both rear tyres were flagged for this in 2021, and confirm that the tyres currently fitted are of matching brand, size and tread depth across each axle. The nearside rear shock absorber fluid leak that triggered the 2022 Major should be verified by inspecting under the wheel arch for fresh seepage or staining on the shock body, and a comparison bounce test at the rear should confirm that the vehicle settles evenly without continued oscillation. The front brake pad advisory from 2023 should be treated as a maintenance item that will inevitably require attention again given the mileage accumulated since. On the test drive, listen for any metallic scraping or squealing under light braking, and feel for a soft or spongy pedal that could indicate caliper slider seizure, a common cause of uneven pad wear. Check that the vehicle pulls up squarely under firm braking without judder through the steering wheel, which could indicate warped front discs. Beyond the flagged items, the rear tyres flagged for cracking in 2021 should prompt a check of the spare or any unmoved rear tyres for similar age-related deterioration. Given the isolated nature of the suspension failure and the otherwise consistent advisory pattern centred on routine consumables, the recorded mechanical history presents a manageable inspection list rather than any systemic structural or drivetrain concern.