2017 KIA Sportage 1.6L Petrol · PF67 FFG

The defining mechanical event in this Kia Sportage's recent history is a sudden failure on 27 July 2026, where two Major defects were recorded simultaneously. A Major was issued against the offside front Macpherson strut top bush or bearing for excessive wear or free play, and a further Major was raised for the windscreen wiper failing to clear the windscreen effectively and being insecure. Both items were subsequently addressed, as a re-test four days later on 31 July 2026 produced a clean pass with no advisories. Prior to this, the vehicle demonstrated an unbroken run of passes from 2020 through 2025, with the only recorded advisories appearing in July 2025, when the nearside front tyre was noted as worn close to the legal limit on its edge, and the offside rear tyre was flagged for slight damage, cracking or perishing. The 2026 Major defects therefore represent an abrupt departure from a previously unblemished record, and the failed Macpherson strut top mount in particular warrants close mechanical attention. Against an age of approximately nine years, the recorded mileage of 56,049 miles equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 6,228 miles, which is consistent with typical private use for a vehicle of this type and age. Testing frequency has remained broadly annual since 2020, with no extended gaps in the MOT record that would suggest prolonged periods off the road, which removes the usual concerns around seized brakes, perished hoses, or stale fluids that accompany multi-year lay-ups. The mileage progression implied by the test dates is steady rather than erratic, and there are no obvious jumps that would indicate clock tampering or inconsistent use. Given this consistent usage pattern, mechanical wear should be broadly proportional to the odometer reading, and a standard level of attention to normal service items would be expected. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection area must be the front suspension, specifically the offside Macpherson strut top mount and bearing that prompted the Major in July 2026. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front of the vehicle when traversing uneven surfaces or speed bumps, and pay particular attention to any creaks or structural thuds when turning the steering from lock to lock at low speed, as a worn top mount can also transmit noise through the body structure. Visually inspect the engine bay for any signs of the strut turret sinking into the strut tower, uneven tyre wear on the nearside front tyre, or excessive free play when rocking the strut assembly by hand. It is also worth asking for documentation confirming exactly which components were replaced, as a complete strut assembly may have been fitted rather than just the bearing plate, and this distinction can affect future service intervals. The remaining advisory items relate to tyre condition, which remains a straightforward but important consideration. The nearside front tyre edge wear noted in 2025 can be indicative of incorrect tracking, worn suspension bushes, or simply a vehicle that has covered significant mileage on the original geometry settings, so it would be prudent to check for uneven shoulder wear across all four tyres and to confirm that a four-wheel alignment has been carried out recently. The offside rear tyre was flagged for cracking or perishing, and given the vehicle's age, a thorough inspection of all sidewalls for ozone cracking is sensible, particularly on tyres that have been in use for more than five years regardless of tread depth. Finally, although no advisories were recorded against the brakes, exhaust, or corrosion integrity on the underside of the vehicle, the Macpherson strut failure suggests that other suspension joints and bushes should be checked proactively, and a ramp inspection to examine the subframe, brake pipes, and anti-roll bar drop links for any early corrosion would be a prudent precaution on a nine-year-old SUV.