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Kia Sportage Mk4 (QL) (2016-2021) reliability

At a glance

Kia Sportage Mk4 (QL) built around 2018: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Kia Sportage Mk4 (QL) models built around 2018 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Looking at a Kia Sportage Mk4 (QL) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

7% of MOT tests on Kia Sportage Mk4 (QL) models built around 2018 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 5% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Kia Sportage Mk4 (QL) models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Kia Sportage Mk4 (QL)
average reliability2016-2021SUVDIESEL / PETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC

Based on 220,449 tests of Sportage models registered 2016-2021.

About 1 in 40 Sportage Mk4 (QL) MOTs (2.8%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 40,748 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 Sportage Mk4 (QL) MOTs (6.9%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 40,748 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk4 (QL) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
10,31411.9%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
28,81513.3%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
28,48014.2%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
39,16814.6%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
40,74816.1%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
45,62818.6%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
27,29620.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 9 years old.

How the Sportage Mk4 (QL) compares

At each age below, see how the Sportage Mk4 (QL) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 105,025 tests across 12 Kia models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateKia average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
10,31411.9%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
28,81513.3%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
28,48014.2%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
39,16814.6%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
40,74816.1%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
45,62818.6%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
27,29620.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Sportage Mk4 (QL).

  1. 1

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 9.6%, against 16.1% for the Kia Sportage Mk4 (QL), both built around 2018.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 16.1% for the Kia Sportage Mk4 (QL), both built around 2018.

    1,815 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Skoda Karoq

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.3%

    Lower fail rate: 10.3%, against 16.1% for the Kia Sportage Mk4 (QL), both built around 2018.

    8,610 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Lexus NX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    2.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.4%

    Lower fail rate: 9.5%, against 16.1% for the Kia Sportage Mk4 (QL), both built around 2018.

    4,706 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

20 recalls in all

3 of the 20 Sportage Mk4 (QL) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 recalls

Top concerns

  • The mesh filter inside the tandem pump may block causing insufficient oil supply and a risk of vacuum pump failure. If t
  • The electrical circuit within the hecu may experience a short circuit condition
  • Vehicles may have brake fluid contamination caused by topping up with an incorrect fluid

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on Sportage Mk4 (QL) cars built around 2018

The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 1,162 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
7%
Emissions
2%

Wear items

Tyres
25%
Brakes
22%
Lighting
4%
How Sportage Mk4 (QL) cars have aged

How Sportage Mk4 (QL) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%20%3456789Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 14.1% (21,746 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 13.3% (20,510 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 13.4% (15,105 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 13.8% (13,898 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 14.5% (13,617 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 12.7% (27,009 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 13.3% (25,043 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 14.8% (24,437 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.5% (23,514 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 11.5% (26,869 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 12.8% (25,881 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 14.3% (25,191 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 15.0% (24,537 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 15.5% (23,923 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 12.5% (29,199 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 14.1% (28,680 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 15.4% (28,036 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 17.0% (27,622 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 17.9% (27,303 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 15.0% (29,216 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 15.6% (28,368 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 17.0% (27,760 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 19.1% (27,616 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 20.2% (27,296 tests, 2025 data)2016
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018
How each part holds up as Mk4 (QL) cars age

How each part holds up as Mk4 (QL) cars age

The share of diesel cars built 2017-2020 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car6 years7 years8 years
Suspension6%7%7%
Brakes16%22%31%
Emissions5%2%1%
Tyres17%25%27%
Lighting3%4%5%
Corrosion0%0%0%

Based on diesel cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 757 to 1,883 cars at each age.

Mk4 (QL) variants compared

Sportage Mk4 (QL) variants built around 2018

The fail rate for each Sportage Mk4 (QL) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • SPORTAGE15.9%20,456 tests

Petrol

  • SPORTAGE16.4%20,272 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Kia Sportages of this age

This list covers every Kia Sportage built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk4 (QL) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    19.9%
    Advisory: 11,879Fail: 1,546 (12% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    18.0%
    Advisory: 7,928Fail: 1,673 (17% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    11.2%
    Advisory: 6,501Fail: 461 (7% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    7.0%
    Advisory: 3,895Fail: 54 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    6.8%
    Advisory: 3,561Fail: 592 (14% of the times it was found)

Based on 40,748 tests

Looking at a Kia Sportage Mk4 (QL) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Kia Sportage Mk4 (QL) (2016-2021) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 40,748 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 220,449 MOT tests on Kia Sportages first registered between 2016-2021. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.