Kia Sportage (2011)
2011 Kia Sportage
CarHunch analysed 8,704 real MOT records for the 2011 Kia Sportage. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2011 Kia Sportage sits almost exactly at the UK average pass rate of 79.3%, so reliability is broadly in line with other cars its age—but the headline concern is that 52.2% have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above typical levels, which warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection. Diesel models (79% pass rate) lag slightly behind petrol versions (80.6%), though the difference is marginal.
These Sportages are averaging 75,136 miles at test time, which is reasonable for a 13-year-old vehicle, and the 3.14 average failures per test suggests wear-and-tear issues rather than fundamental design flaws. The 20 advisories per vehicle on average point to accumulated minor niggles across trim, seals, and suspension components—a long-term owner should budget for steady maintenance and prioritise a full pre-purchase history check given the high dangerous defect rate.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 1.6 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2011 Kia Sportage
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 52.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Kia Sportage
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (83%) | 7,256 | 79% | 3.17 |
| Petrol (17%) | 1,448 | 80.6% | 2.97 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2011 Kia Sportage vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2011 Kia Sportage vehicles fall between 60,942 and 91,519 miles.
2011 Kia Sportage — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 6,764 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 82% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2011 Kia Sportage
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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62.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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61.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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45.7%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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43%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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39.8%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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39.7%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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29.6%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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27.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2011. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Kia Sportage?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.