Kia Sportage Glx Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Kia Sportage Glx car check
Is the Kia Sportage Glx reliable? We analysed 1,204 real MOT tests across 253 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Kia Sportage Glx? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Kia Sportage Glx is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, wheel bearing has excessive play and registration plate lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Kia Sportage Glx.
Kia Sportage Glx Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Kia Sportage Glx. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Kia Sportage Glx MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Kia Sportage Glx to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Kia Sportage Glx Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Kia Sportage Glx fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Kia Sportage Glx Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Kia Sportage Glx owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Kia Sportage Glx MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Kia Sportage Glx year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 58 | 65.5% | 53,064 | 65,306 | 74,801 |
| 1998 | 161 | 62.7% | 68,169 | 81,154 | 100,481 |
| 1997 | 362 | 62.7% | 72,568 | 85,520 | 96,548 |
| 1996 | 390 | 59.5% | 72,574 | 87,080 | 100,338 |
| 1995 | 233 | 58.8% | 70,432 | 89,318 | 104,848 |
How Long Does a Kia Sportage Glx Last?
Based on 253 Kia Sportage Glx vehicles on UK roads.
Kia Sportage Glx Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Kia Sportage Glx MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Kia Sportage Glx
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
65.5% MOT pass rate from 58 tests
58.8% MOT pass rate from 233 tests
The best year to buy a used Kia Sportage Glx is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 65.5% across 58 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 58.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Kia Sportage Glx Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Sportage Glx THIS CAR | 61.0% | 1,204 | 84,980 mi | 31 yrs |
| Kia Sportage | 80.4% | 2,634,551 | 53,679 mi | 26 yrs |
| Kia Picanto | 77.1% | 2,626,043 | 39,084 mi | 22 yrs |
| Kia Ceed | 76.1% | 1,665,385 | 60,630 mi | 19 yrs |
| Volkswagen Tiguan Sport TDI 140 | 83.2% | 1,104 | 130,341 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Kia Sportage (80.4% pass rate) and the Kia Picanto (77.1% pass rate), the Kia Sportage Glx trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Kia Sportage Glx you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Kia Sportage GlxShould you buy a used Kia Sportage Glx?
The Kia Sportage Glx has an overall MOT pass rate of 61.0% across 1,204 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Kia Sportage Glx are brake pipe excessively corroded (197 recorded failures), wheel bearing has excessive play (99), and registration plate lamp not working (88). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Kia Sportage Glx owner drives around 6,208 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Kia Sportage Glx models stay on UK roads for around 31 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.