Kia Sportage (2012)
2012 Kia Sportage
CarHunch analysed 13,836 real MOT records for the 2012 Kia Sportage. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2012 Kia Sportage's 78.5% pass rate sits just below the UK average of 80%, a modest gap that masks a serious concern: over half of these vehicles (52.2%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point. Diesel models, which make up the vast majority, fare slightly worse at 78.2% versus petrol's 80.4%, so fuel choice does matter a little here.
At 70,000 miles median mileage, these Sportages are showing their age fairly heavily, yet they're averaging 3.09 failures and 19 advisories per test—suggesting wear rather than catastrophic decline. The high advisory count reflects cumulative minor issues (trim, seals, corrosion) rather than sudden failure, which is typical for a 12-year-old SUV. Before buying one, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on brake systems and suspension, as dangerous defects are far too common in this cohort to overlook.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.2 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2012 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.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (87%) | 12,000 | 78.2% | 3.14 |
| Petrol (13%) | 1,835 | 80.4% | 2.78 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 83.3% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2012 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 2012 Kia Sportage vehicles fall between 56,211 and 85,379 miles.
2012 Kia Sportage — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 11,566 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 87% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2012 Kia Sportage
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
62.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
61.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
45.7%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
43%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
39.8%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
39.7%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
29.6%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
27.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012. 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.