2019 KIA Sportage 1.6L Petrol · SD69 NBF

The vehicle currently holds a roadworthy status, but the recent MOT history reveals a significant decline in maintenance standards. While it passed the test on 26 May 2026 at 53,140 miles, this followed a comprehensive failure just two weeks prior at 53,123 miles. That failure flagged multiple critical safety and electronic defects, including engine management system issues and ABS faults. The trend indicates a shift from clean records in earlier years to a period of reactive maintenance where faults are only addressed immediately upon a formal test failure. The mileage pattern remains consistent with a seven-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 7,600 miles per year. Data shows a steady usage rate between November 2022 and December 2023, where the car covered roughly 11,300 miles. However, the usage accelerated between December 2023 and May 2026, with over 17,000 miles recorded in that thirty months. This increase in activity likely correlates with the sudden appearance of mechanical wear on the suspension components and braking system noted in the May 2026 test results. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension geometry. The tester previously identified an excessively worn offside front ball joint and play in the nearside front track rod end, which, combined with a worn trailing arm bush noted in November 2024, suggests the front end is reaching the end of its service life. The recurring mention of tyres worn on the edges in both 2024 and 2026 points to a persistent alignment issue or incorrect camber settings that have not yet been professionally rectified. The electronic history remains a primary concern. The May 2026 failure cited an inoperative Malfunction Indicator Lamp and faults in the ABS and electronic stability control. Although the vehicle passed shortly after, a buyer should verify these systems using a diagnostic scan tool to ensure the faults were not merely cleared as temporary codes. Furthermore, the offside rear brake pads were found at the legal 1.5mm limit in May 2026, necessitating a check of the remaining pad life and the condition of the discs.