2007 Kia Sportage — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 11,157 MOT tests analysed for the 2007 Kia Sportage, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 67.8% was below the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (72.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.6% in the 150k+ group versus 20.6% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 21.1% | 2,355 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 1,784 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.1% | 1,240 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 849 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.4% | 603 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.1% | 572 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 897 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 756 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 697 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 689 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 516 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 512 |
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 | 39.6% | 4,419 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.1% | 3,577 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.4% | 3,051 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.2% | 2,032 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 1,927 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.8% | 1,319 |
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 | 616 | 20.6% |
| 60-90k | 2,537 | 28.7% |
| 90-120k | 4,416 | 32.9% |
| 120-150k | 2,753 | 35.7% |
| 150k+ | 801 | 35.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,960 | 31.8% |
| Petrol | 4,193 | 32.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,236 | 30.7% |
| 2022 | 2,812 | 32.3% |
| 2023 | 2,216 | 32.5% |
| 2024 | 1,703 | 33.8% |
| 2025 | 1,190 | 32.9% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Sportage
Before buying a 2007 Kia Sportage, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 21.1% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (21.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (16.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.1% 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.
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 2007 Kia Sportages pass their MOT?
67.8% of the 11,157 2007 Kia Sportage MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Kia Sportage?
Suspension, recorded in 21.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (16.0%).
Does the 2007 Sportage get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.6% in the 30-60k band to 35.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,157 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.