2015 KIA Sportage 1.7L Diesel · RK65 WFJ

The 2015 Kia Sportage presents a mixed maintenance picture as of its most recent MOT activity in September 2025. The vehicle failed a test on 08 September 2025 at 73,370 miles due to a non-functionary nearside headlamp dipped beam, then passed a retest on the same day at the same recorded mileage. This immediate pass confirms the electrical fault was rectified, but the advisories carried forward from that test reveal a worsening trend in front-end wear. Both front suspension arm ball joints were flagged for slight play, and both front tyres were noted as worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge. These items were not new; the offside front ball joint had been flagged for slight play as far back as September 2023 at 62,003 miles, suggesting a progressive deterioration that has persisted across two test cycles without definitive repair. The maintenance trend is therefore stable to slowly worsening, with consumable wear items being addressed reactively rather than proactively. The mileage accumulation of approximately 6,670 miles per year over eleven years is entirely typical for a vehicle of this age and does not raise concerns about excessive use or suspiciously low recorded distance. The progression from 56,025 miles in August 2022 to 62,003 miles in September 2023, then to 68,397 miles in September 2024, and finally to 73,370 miles in September 2025 shows a consistent and gradual increase of roughly 5,000 to 6,000 miles annually. There are no anomalous gaps or sudden jumps in the odometer record that would suggest long periods of inactivity or potential mileage discrepancies. The record is clean and sequential in that respect. A buyer inspecting this vehicle in person should focus on the front suspension and steering components, given the recurring advisories on both front suspension arm ball joints. Persistent play in these joints can indicate worn bushes or deteriorating ball joint housings, which affect steering precision and tyre wear patterns. The edge wear noted on both front tyres in September 2025 supports this concern and warrants a close inspection of tracking and alignment. The rear brake pads have appeared as wearing thin in both the 2024 and 2025 tests, suggesting the rear braking system is being worked harder than expected, possibly due to a binding caliper or uneven handbrake adjustment. A thorough check of rear caliper slide pistons and handbrake cables is advisable. The nearside headlamp failure in September 2025, while resolved, should be verified for consistent operation across all beam settings, as intermittent lighting faults can point to failing bulb units or wiring connector corrosion behind the headlamp assembly.