2021 Kia Sportage 3 Isg — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 852 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Kia Sportage 3 Isg, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 92.4% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.3%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 6.2% | 53 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.0% | 26 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 22 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.2% | 10 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.8% | 7 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 64 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 25 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 17 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 8 |
| 5 | Washers | 8 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 6 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 22.9% | 195 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.3% | 88 |
| 3 | Other defects | 9.5% | 81 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.8% | 32 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 29 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.3% | 28 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 478 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 354 | 8.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 47 | 2.1% |
| 2024 | 401 | 8.5% |
| 2025 | 403 | 7.4% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Sportage 3 Isg
Before buying a 2021 Kia Sportage 3 Isg, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 6.2% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (6.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (3.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (2.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Kia Sportage 3 Isgs pass their MOT?
92.4% of the 852 2021 Kia Sportage 3 Isg MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Kia Sportage 3 Isg?
Visibility, recorded in 6.2% of tests, followed by tyres (3.0%).
Does the 2021 Sportage 3 Isg get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 8.8% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 852 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.