2016 KIA Sportage 1.7L Diesel · WF66 CVV

The recurring theme across this Sportage's MOT history is a persistent deterioration of the rear registration plate, which has been flagged at every annual test since 2020 and has now appeared across four consecutive advisories, alongside a pattern of rear axle component wear that warrants close attention. The most recent test on 22 September 2025 was recorded as a pass, but it carried advisories for that same deteriorated number plate and for an offside rear tyre showing inner tread pattern wear, suggesting uneven shoulder loading potentially linked to rear suspension geometry or tracking. The vehicle suffered two failures in the recorded period: a nearside rear tyre cut deep enough to expose the ply or cords in September 2023, which resulted in an immediate retest pass the same day once rectified, and a nearside rear direction indicator lens defect in September 2021 that was likewise addressed and passed on the same date. The 2024 test further recorded rear brake pads wearing thin, indicating the rear braking system is now into a consumable replacement cycle. Overall the trajectory shows a vehicle that has remained broadly roadworthy but is exhibiting a steady accumulation of rear-end wear items rather than a clean sheet. With 85,240 miles recorded over approximately ten years, the annual accumulation sits at roughly 8,524 miles, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and not suggestive of either severe underuse or hard motorway mileage. The testing record is consistent, with annual MOTs conducted each September from 2020 through 2025 with no multi-year gaps that would raise concerns about extended standing periods, battery degradation, or seized components. The mileage spread is regular and uninterrupted, indicating the vehicle has been in continuous use throughout the recorded period, which means standard wear items such as suspension bushes, coil springs, brake discs and drivetrain mounts have been subjected to normal working stress rather than the shock loading that can follow prolonged lay-ups. For a prospective buyer, the rear braking system should be the first priority on inspection, given the 2024 advisory on thin rear pads and the fact that two test cycles have now elapsed since that warning, meaning the pads are likely at or near the replacement threshold. On a test drive, listen for any binding or dragging sensation from the rear calipers, feel for pulling to one side under light braking, and check for a hot smell from the rear wheels immediately after a stop, which would indicate a seized caliper slider. The 2025 advisory on inner tread wear on the offside rear tyre is a specific flag for the rear suspension geometry, so the vehicle should be driven over uneven roads and speed bumps to detect any clonking, knocking or excessive bouncing from the rear axle, with particular attention to the condition of the rear shock absorbers, coil springs, and trailing arm bushes, as worn components in this area are common on mid-2010s Sportages and will accelerate inner-edge tyre wear if out of specification. A visual inspection underneath should look for any surface corrosion on the rear subframe mounting points, brake pipe routing, and handbrake cable, and the rear registration plate should be budgeted for replacement as it has now been flagged as deteriorating for six consecutive years. It is also worth noting that the two recorded failures, while addressed promptly on the day, both concerned rear lighting and rear tyre condition, which on a family SUV of this age can indicate stone-chip damage from motorway use or simply the natural degradation of rubber and plastic components exposed to the elements. Before purchase, confirm that the nearside rear indicator lens is currently intact and that all tyres, including the spare, have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm with no sidewall bulges or cuts. Verify that the rear brake discs have not worn beyond their service limit, as thin pads running against worn discs will compromise stopping performance, and check the rear handbrake holds the vehicle securely on an incline, given that the rear brake assembly has been the most consistently flagged area in the MOT record.