2021 Kia Sportage MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 85.4% of Kia Sportages first used in 2021 passed their MOT first time, against 87.2% for all cars first used in 2021. Across 56,268 Sportage first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen), tyres and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Kia Sportages first used in 2021 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2021 Kia Sportage MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Sportages first used in 2021 against all cars first used in 2021 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Sportage figure was 1.8 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2021 Sportage | All cars first used 2021 | Sportage first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | fewer than 500 tests | 82.9% | 36 |
| 2022 | fewer than 500 tests | 89.9% | 50 |
| 2023 | 88.5% | 90.8% | 1,780 |
| 2024 | 84.4% | 87.6% | 27,586 |
| 2025 | 85.4% | 87.2% | 26,902 |
Common 2021 Kia Sportage MOT failures
Share of the 8,439 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 33.5% | 2,823 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 12.5% | 1,057 |
| Headlamp aim: too high | 11.9% | 1,008 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 10.0% | 846 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 7.2% | 608 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2021 Kia Sportage before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2021 Kia Sportage MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2021 Sportages, as a share of all 56,268 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 13.2% | 7,421 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 8.1% | 4,561 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 5.7% | 3,180 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 3.5% | 1,991 |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | 3.5% | 1,986 |
Questions about the 2021 Kia Sportage MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2021 Kia Sportage?
In 2025, 85.4% of Sportages first used in 2021 passed their MOT first time, against 87.2% for all cars first used in 2021. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2021 Sportage most often fail its MOT on?
Visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (in 39.6% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), tyres (25.1%) and brakes (21.4%). The single most common item was “Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively” (33.5%).
How often does a 2021 Kia Sportage fail its MOT?
In 2025, 14.6% of first tests on Sportages first used in 2021 did not pass first time: 10.9% failed, and a further 3.7% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 8,439 of 56,268 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2021 Kia Sportage MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 13.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (8.1%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (5.7%), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (3.5%) and “Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt” (3.5%).
Is a 2021 Kia Sportage reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 88.5% in 2023 to 85.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2021
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2021 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2021 Ford Transit Custom MOT statistics · 2021 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2021 Tesla Model 3 MOT statistics · 2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2021 Sportage?
The numbers above cover every Sportage first used in 2021 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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