Kia Sportage (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 31,542 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,674

£140/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Diesel

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £1,674/year to run. 9 points above average.

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Diesel1598cc5 years old31,542 tests25k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1598cc)

~55 mpg

£1,219

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,674

Per month£140/mo

Per week£32/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Kia brand average of 86%.

91% of MOT tests on Kia Sportages from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 31,542 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 24,767 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models2112th of 3,336(bottom half)

Rank among Kia models176th of 471(top half)

vs average of all models+9%(82% avg)

vs 2021 models average-1%(92% avg)

vs Kia average+5%(86% avg)

Mileage Analysis

24,767

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 Kia Sportage had 24,767 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Kia Sportage by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	92%	1,082	24,731 mi
2021	91%	31,542	24,767 mi
2020	90%	21,479	30,287 mi
2019	89%	58,319	39,545 mi
2018	88%	60,314	48,804 mi
2017	86%	65,441	59,147 mi
2016	85%	66,048	67,665 mi
2015	82%	37,017	74,778 mi
2014	81%	34,495	83,477 mi
2013	76%	34,980	91,808 mi
2012	75%	24,908	99,218 mi
2011	74%	15,295	106,602 mi
2010	73%	7,894	103,955 mi
2009	70%	4,499	103,156 mi
2008	70%	2,910	106,403 mi
2007	65%	2,676	109,553 mi
2006	66%	2,245	112,934 mi
2005	66%	2,354	112,304 mi
2004	97%	31	123,135 mi
2003	74%	50	70,392 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Focus

2019 · 1499cc Diesel

£1,824/year

89%

-2%

Mercedes A

2019 · 1461cc Diesel

£1,674/year

91%

same

Ford Kuga

2019 · 1997cc Diesel

£1,852/year

91%

same

Volkswagen Polo

2019 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,824/year

89%

-2%

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About the 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2021 Kia Sportage is a small family car. Our records list a 1598cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 31,542 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 24,767 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Kia Sportage owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2021 Kia Sportage Fuel Costs

The 1598cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,219 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2021 Kia Sportage?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,674 (£140/month), broken down as £1,219 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Kia Sportage Reliability Trend

Newer Kia Sportages pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 15 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2021 Kia Sportage

At 5 years old, the Kia Sportage offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. With 31,542 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

What the 2021 Kia Sportage Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 2,462 MOT tests on the 2021 Kia Sportage that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

Windscreen, wipers and mirrors40%
Same age: 25% (fails on this more often)
Brakes26%
Same age: 15% (fails on this more often)
Tyres25%
Same age: 38% (fails on this less often)
Lights and electrics16%
Same age: 22% (fails on this less often)

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · Kia Sportage reliability, common problems and years to avoid

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Medium risk

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Low risk

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2021 Kia Sportage stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Kia Sportage(2021)	91%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,674
Ford Focus(2019)	89%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,824+£150
Mercedes A(2019)	91%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,674same
Ford Kuga(2019)	91%	£1,397	£200	Grp 18-32	£1,852+£178
Volkswagen Polo(2019)	89%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,824+£150

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2021 Kia Sportage

Is the 2021 Kia Sportage reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of MOT tests on 2021 Kia Sportages ended in a pass, from 31,542 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2021 Kia Sportage cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,674 a year (£140 a month): £1,219 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Kia Sportage?

91% of 31,542 MOT tests on the 2021 Kia Sportage ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 2112th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (bottom half).

Which year Kia Sportage has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Kia Sportage has the highest MOT pass rate at 91% and the 2007 the lowest at 65%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2021 Kia Sportage?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Kia Sportage is 24,767 miles, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.