2013 Kia Sportage — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 115,591 MOT tests analysed for the 2013 Kia Sportage, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 76.8% was below the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (79.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.0% in the 150k+ group versus 10.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 9.1% | 10,520 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.0% | 10,377 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 6.3% | 7,226 |
| 4 | Steering | 6.2% | 7,142 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.3% | 6,176 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.7% | 4,237 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 8,918 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 5,172 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 4,256 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 4,077 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 3,766 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 3,398 |
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 | 28.5% | 33,004 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.5% | 30,667 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.9% | 18,342 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.6% | 13,402 |
| 5 | Steering | 9.8% | 11,293 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 9,853 |
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 | 1,564 | 10.0% |
| 30-60k | 20,710 | 16.6% |
| 60-90k | 48,878 | 22.6% |
| 90-120k | 32,361 | 26.9% |
| 120-150k | 9,620 | 28.8% |
| 150k+ | 2,447 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 97,975 | 23.4% |
| Petrol | 17,616 | 22.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 22,784 | 19.4% |
| 2022 | 23,103 | 21.5% |
| 2023 | 23,369 | 23.3% |
| 2024 | 23,494 | 25.7% |
| 2025 | 22,841 | 26.2% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Sportage
Before buying a 2013 Kia Sportage, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 9.1% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (9.1% 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.
- Suspension (9.0% 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 (6.3% 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 2013 Kia Sportages pass their MOT?
76.8% of the 115,591 2013 Kia Sportage MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Kia Sportage?
Brakes, recorded in 9.1% of tests, followed by suspension (9.0%).
Does the 2013 Sportage get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.0% in the 0-30k band to 30.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 115,591 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.