CarVerify

Free Car Check

R181 DJW

1997 Kia Sportage

Blue Petrol 1998cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires23 Sep 2026
Tests27 (20 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate74.1%

Mileage

70,024 mi
Last recorded70,024 miles
Recorded on24 Sep 2025
Typical for 1997 Kia Sportage83,527 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Kia
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £14.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationR181 DJW
MakeKia
ModelSportage
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,998cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

20 pass 7 fail
Pass 24 Sep 2025 70,024 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all (1.1.11 (c))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule x2 (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Front Headlamp lens slightly defective x2 (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced both sills (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

underbody and suspension components corroded

Fail 24 Sep 2025 70,024 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all (1.1.11 (c))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule x2 (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Front Headlamp lens slightly defective x2 (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced both sills (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

underbody and suspension components corroded

Pass 21 Aug 2024 69,021 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both sides flex hose ferrules corroded ,not dangerous (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt gaiter (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear fuel neck breather pipes corroded,under wing

Pass 3 Aug 2023 67,646 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt gaiter (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 3 Aug 2023 67,646 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt gaiter (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Rear Registration plate lamp throwing direct white light to the rear both (4.7.1 (a))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 4 Aug 2022 66,220 miles

Nearside Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt joint gaiter (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded under wing ()

Offside Rear coil spring weak

vehicle corroded on under side

Fail 1 Aug 2022 66,220 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Upper Suspension component ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps both (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Nearside Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt joint gaiter (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Offside Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded under wing ()

Offside Rear coil spring weak

vehicle corroded on under side

Pass 6 Aug 2021 64,327 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

all steering and suspension gaiters deteriorated

heavy underside corrosion none to excess

Pass 17 Aug 2020 62,829 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

corrosion to complete under side of vehicle

Pass 27 Aug 2019 61,590 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Fuel hose corroded (6.1.3 (c) (ii))

steering gaiters deteriorated

underside of vehicle heavily corroded not to excess

Fail 23 Aug 2019 61,546 miles

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Fuel hose corroded (6.1.3 (c) (ii))

steering gaiters deteriorated

underside of vehicle heavily corroded not to excess

Pass 24 Aug 2018 59,689 miles

underside corrosion none to excess

Pass 30 Aug 2017 57,795 miles
Pass 12 Aug 2016 55,214 miles

CHASSIS AND SUSPENSION CORRODED

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 21 Aug 2015 52,850 miles

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Pass 22 Aug 2014 50,918 miles

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Pass 15 Aug 2013 49,071 miles
Pass 22 Aug 2012 46,871 miles
Fail 21 Aug 2012 46,871 miles

Nearside Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover missing (2.4.G.2)

Offside Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover missing (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 1 Sep 2011 45,145 miles

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Pass 27 Aug 2010 43,176 miles

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Pass 28 Aug 2009 40,856 miles
Fail 19 Aug 2009 40,822 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 14 Aug 2008 39,284 miles

Exhaust blowing slightly

Front flexi hoses ferrules corroded

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 1 Aug 2007 37,733 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Fail 19 Jul 2007 37,627 miles

Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 19 Aug 2006 36,006 miles

exaust slightly blowing

front both metal brake pipes lightly corroded

How Reliable is the Kia Sportage?

Based on 2,634,551 MOT tests across 296,598 vehicles.

80.4%
Pass Rate
7,022
Miles/Year
26
Year Lifespan
296,598
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 16,003
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 15,822
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 14,522
Brake pipe excessively corroded 10,705
Full Kia Sportage reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

R181 DJW is a 1997 Kia Sportage in Blue with a 1,998cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 74.1%.

Across all 1997 Kia Sportage models, the average MOT pass rate is 63.9% with a typical mileage of 83,527 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Kia Sportage fails its MOT is brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, accounting for 16,003 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R181 DJW, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Kia Sportage typically stays on UK roads for around 26 years. At 29 years old, this Kia Sportage is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R181 DJW?

You can check the full history of R181 DJW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R181 DJW registered?

R181 DJW is a 1997 Kia Sportage, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R181 DJW safe to buy?

The MOT history for R181 DJW shows 27 tests with a 74.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R181 DJW have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on R181 DJW. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.