2010 KIA Sportage 2.0L Diesel · SY02 DEL

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a trend of reactive rather than proactive care. While it passed its most recent test in late December 2025 at 70,711 miles, this followed a significant failure just one day prior. That failure highlighted multiple critical safety and mechanical issues including a weakened seat belt, worn tyres, and suspension defects. The presence of an unresolved minor exhaust leak and a poor auxiliary drive belt despite the pass indicates that the owner only addresses faults when they are on the verge of causing a total MOT failure. At 16 years old, the recorded mileage of 70,711 miles is notably low, averaging approximately 4,400 miles per year. This low usage suggests the vehicle has not been subjected to high motorway stress, but it raises concerns regarding age-related degradation. There is a visible gap between the January 2023 and January 2025 tests, where only 6,532 miles were covered. Such long periods of inactivity often lead to the deterioration of rubber components and seals, which is consistent with the pitted brake discs and worn bushes noted in the record. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the front suspension, specifically the nearside Macpherson strut top bearing, which previously showed excessive free play. The offside front seat belt webbing requires immediate replacement as the recorded cut over 2mm is a safety risk. Furthermore, the auxiliary drive belt and the exhaust gasket leak at the turbo to downpipe junction should be inspected for signs of cracking or imminent failure. Given the history of uneven tyre wear on the nearside front tyre, a professional alignment check is essential to ensure the vehicle is not prematurely wearing out new rubber.