2003 Kia Sportage — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 255 MOT tests, the 2003 Kia Sportage recorded a 72.9% pass rate. That is 1.1 percentage points better than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 28.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.3% of all tests — 5.9 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, rigid brake pipes and headlamp aim — headlamp alone was recorded 24 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2003 Sportage fails 27.8% of the time in the 30-60k band and 31.5% at 90-120k, a spread of only 3.7 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 39.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 44 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.4% | 29 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.6% | 27 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 26 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.4% | 19 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.1% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 24 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 19 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 18 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 18 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 15 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 14 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 39.2% | 100 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.8% | 99 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.4% | 57 |
| 4 | Tyres | 21.6% | 55 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.2% | 49 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 48 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 72 | 27.8% |
| 60-90k | 108 | 24.1% |
| 90-120k | 54 | 31.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 87 | 28.7% |
| 2022 | 62 | 27.4% |
| 2023 | 44 | 20.4% |
| 2024 | 39 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Sportage
On a 2003 Sportage, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (10.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2003 Kia Sportages pass their MOT?
72.9% of the 255 2003 Kia Sportage MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Kia Sportage?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.3% of tests, followed by brakes (11.4%).
Does the 2003 Sportage get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.8% in the 30-60k band to 31.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 255 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.