2018 KIA Sportage 1.7L Diesel · RV68 GFJ

The vehicle currently holds a roadworthy status following a pass on December 3, 2025 at 66,190 miles. However, the maintenance trend shows a period of reactive repair rather than proactive care. A significant failure just two days prior to that test at 66,189 miles revealed multiple critical safety defects, including weakened brake components and worn tyres. While the subsequent pass indicates these specific faults were rectified, the history suggests the previous owner only addressed essential mechanical issues when forced to by an MOT test failure. The mileage pattern is consistent with typical UK usage for a vehicle of this age, averaging approximately 8,200 miles per year over its eight-year life. There is a notable increase in activity over the last two years, covering about 7,500 miles between January 2023 and February 2024, followed by another 7,700 miles between February 2024 and December 2025. This steady accumulation indicates the car has been used regularly rather than sitting for long periods, which likely contributed to the accelerated wear observed in the braking system during recent testing intervals. A buyer must scrutinise the braking system during a physical inspection. The record shows a recurring pattern of pitted and scored discs alongside thinning pads dating back to at least February 2024. Specifically, the failure in December 2025 highlighted a weakened offside rear brake disc and an imbalance, which suggests the calipers or sliding pins may have suffered from corrosion. You should also verify that all wheel fixings are present and secure, as the tester previously flagged missing bolts on the front axle. Given the previous reports of uneven tyre wear on the front, a professional wheel alignment check is also advisable to ensure no underlying suspension components are prematurely worn.