2015 KIA Sportage 1.7L Diesel · SY15 PYA

The 2015 KIA Sportage’s most recent MOT, conducted just six months ago on 24 January 2026, confirms it remains roadworthy but highlights a critical wear item—rear brake pads now classified as "wearing thin" at 126,238 miles. This follows a clean slate in the prior two tests, with no defects recorded in January 2025 or January 2024, suggesting the vehicle has otherwise maintained a stable mechanical condition. However, the offside rear wheel bearing’s persistent issue—first flagged as having "slight play" in January 2023 and again in the failed test just one day earlier—indicates a recurring problem that has not been resolved. While the most recent pass suggests the bearing was deemed tolerable at the time, its recurrence implies a need for closer scrutiny, particularly given the 12,171 miles accumulated since the last advisory. The recorded mileage of 126,238 miles over approximately 11 years reflects an average of around 11,500 miles annually, which is typical for a vehicle of this age. There are no unusually large gaps between tests, though the January 2023 failure and subsequent pass within 24 hours of each other stand out as an anomaly—likely due to the tyre tread deficiency being addressed before retesting. The consistent 12-month intervals between MOTs suggest regular servicing, though the lack of pre-MOT maintenance records means no insight into oil changes, suspension servicing, or other critical upkeep. The absence of multiple consecutive passes or failures elsewhere in the history reinforces that the vehicle has not been subjected to extreme or neglectful usage. A buyer should prioritise an immediate inspection of the rear wheel bearings, particularly the offside unit, given its repeated flagging. The slight play noted in January 2023 implies potential wear in the bearing housing or seals, which could lead to premature failure if ignored. The rear brake pads, now classified as "wearing thin," should also be measured for remaining thickness—anything below 2mm warrants immediate replacement to avoid binding or uneven wear. Given the 2023 failure for near-side front tyre tread, the current tyres should be checked for consistent tread depth and signs of uneven wear, which could indicate alignment or suspension issues. Finally, the suspension bushes and coil springs should be visually inspected for cracks, corrosion, or excessive movement, as these components are less likely to be recorded in MOTs but critical for handling and safety.