Ford Kuga vs Kia Sportage: which fails its MOT less?
Allowing for age, the Ford Kuga fails its MOT less often than the Kia Sportage.
- less often than the Kia Sportage, at the same age
- 14.0%less often than the Kia Sportage, at the same age
MOTs passed in 2024: Ford Kuga 82.8%, Kia Sportage 79.7%
Data: DVSA MOT results · 2024 · 511,828 tests
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Which fails less for its age?
Allowing for age, the Ford Kuga fails less often: MOT Risk Index 90.2 against 104.9 (100 = normal for its age; difference 14.7, 95% CI 13.7–15.7).
| Measure | Ford Kuga | Kia Sportage | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passed at the first attempt, % | 78.0 | 75.7 | 2024 |
| MOT Risk Index (100 = normal) | 90.2 | 104.9 | 2024 |
| 95% interval of the index | 89.5–90.9 | 104.2–105.6 | 2024 |
| Rank among 761 models (1 = fails least for its age) | 352 | 508 | 2024 |
| First tests | 254,154 | 257,674 | 2024 |
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After defects were fixed at the test centre
82.8% of Ford Kuga tests and 79.7% of Kia Sportage tests passed, including defects fixed during the test. This is a different outcome from passing at the first attempt.
What explains the difference?
The clearest difference is brakes: against its own class and age, the Ford Kuga runs −0.9 items per 100 tests and the Kia Sportage +5.1, so the Ford Kuga has 6.0 fewer per 100 tests (95% interval 5.9 to 6.1).
Each model is compared with its own class and age; the fleets can differ in mileage and use.
More detail
Dangerous defects and advisory items
| Measure | Ford Kuga | Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|
| Dangerous defects per 100 tests | 9.0 | 11.6 |
| Advisory items per 100 tests | 100.6 | 110.8 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data, 2019–2024. A test can record several items. CSV
At what age does one of them fail more?
The Ford Kuga fails less at 14 of 14 ages where both are tested, and the gap points the same way at every age where it is clear. Across the 4 yearly tests from age 4 to 7, the gaps add up to 11.1 extra failed tests per 100 for the Kia Sportage (a sum of yearly rates, not the chance of one car failing).
| Age | Difference, pp | 95% interval | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | −3.9 | −4.3 to −3.6 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| 4 | −3.1 | −3.4 to −2.7 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| 5 | −2.7 | −3.0 to −2.3 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| 6 | −2.5 | −2.9 to −2.2 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| 7 | −2.8 | −3.2 to −2.4 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| 8 | −2.6 | −3.1 to −2.0 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| 9 | −2.1 | −2.7 to −1.4 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| 10 | −0.8 | −1.5 to −0.1 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| 11 | −1.9 | −2.8 to −1.0 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| 12 | −1.1 | −2.2 to −0.1 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| 13 | −2.9 | −4.2 to −1.7 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| 14 | −6.2 | −7.7 to −4.7 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| 15 | −9.0 | −11.0 to −7.0 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| 16 | −8.7 | −12.0 to −5.4 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| Age band | Ages included | Ford Kuga, % | Kia Sportage, % | Difference, pp | 95% interval | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3–5 | 3–5 | 12.4 | 15.4 | −3.1 | −3.2 to −2.9 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| 6–10 | 6–10 | 21.8 | 24.0 | −2.2 | −2.3 to −2.0 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| 11+ | 11–16 | 38.1 | 41.5 | −3.4 | −3.7 to −3.0 | Ford Kuga fails less |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 2,583,260 (initial tests at shared ages) · Method: difference of two proportions per age, Bonferroni-corrected for 14 ages; age bands pool the published ages with an unadjusted 95% interval, and the same car can appear at more than one age, so that interval is somewhat narrow · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Where do their MOT failures diverge?
The clearest difference is brakes: against its own class and age, the Ford Kuga runs −0.9 items per 100 tests and the Kia Sportage +5.1, so the Ford Kuga has 6.0 fewer per 100 tests (95% interval 5.9 to 6.1).
| Component group | Ford Kuga vs its class | Kia Sportage vs its class | Gap, Ford Kuga minus Kia Sportage | 95% interval | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | −0.9 | +5.1 | −6.0 | −6.1 to −5.9 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| Suspension | −3.6 | −0.0 | −3.5 | −3.6 to −3.5 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| Steering | −0.4 | +2.0 | −2.3 | −2.4 to −2.3 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | −0.8 | −2.1 | +1.3 | +1.2 to +1.3 | Kia Sportage fails less |
| Tyres | −0.7 | +0.5 | −1.2 | −1.3 to −1.1 | Ford Kuga fails less |
| Visibility | +0.0 | +1.0 | −1.0 | −1.1 to −0.9 | Ford Kuga fails less |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 2,605,447 (initial tests) · Method: each model's failure items per 100 tests against the rate expected for its own class and age; Poisson interval; the age standard leaves the model out and is treated as fixed; items in the same test are treated as independent, so the interval is slightly narrow · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If one fails, which is more likely to fail again?
A failure on the Ford Kuga carries 4.0 percentage points more extra risk of failing again than on the Kia Sportage.
| Measure | Ford Kuga | Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|
| After a failed test, % | 28.5 | 27.0 |
| After a passed test, % | 18.1 | 20.6 |
| Extra risk carried by a failure, pp | 10.4 | 6.4 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 109,791 (tests after a fail) · Method: test chains of the same vehicles; cars sold or scrapped after a fail drop out · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
What do six years of MOTs show about the two?
The biggest gap in advisories turning into fails is suspension: 10.3% on the Ford Kuga against 19.2% on the Kia Sportage failed on the same item at the next MOT.
| Component | Ford Kuga | Kia Sportage | Difference, pp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 10.3 | 19.2 | −9.0 |
| Body, chassis, structure | 10.0 | 15.6 | −5.6 |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 13.3 | 18.8 | −5.6 |
| Steering | 10.4 | 15.7 | −5.3 |
| Brakes | 8.0 | 12.7 | −4.7 |
| Visibility | 7.7 | 10.3 | −2.6 |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.0 | 5.0 | −2.0 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.0 | 3.2 | −1.2 |
| Tyres | 7.7 | 8.3 | −0.6 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.1 | 5.1 | −0.0 |
| Measure | Ford Kuga | Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|
| Repaired and passed the same day | 50.6% | 46.2% |
| Passed 1–10 days later | 47.6% | 51.4% |
| Median retest delay | 0.0 days | 1.0 days |
| Failures per 10,000 miles | 0.282 | 0.319 |
| Three-test clean streak | 40.4% | 35.9% |
| Same advisory repeated 3+ times | 22.0% | 26.0% |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,304,750 (tracked advisories) · Method: same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT; common publishable components only · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Recalls, other countries and running costs, side by side
DVSA lists 132 recall campaigns matched to the Ford Kuga and 20 to the Kia Sportage; more campaigns do not by themselves mean a less reliable car. Abroad, compare each model with that country's own average, because pass rates do not carry across rulebooks. Repair bills are catalogue estimates, not quotes.
| Measure | Ford Kuga | Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|
| DVSA recall campaigns listed | 132 | 20 |
| Finland Katsastus: fails, % (national average 26.3%) | 14.5 (4,188 inspections) | 34.0 (7,630 inspections) |
| Netherlands APK: fails, % (national average 50.8%) | 34.1 (14,612 inspections) | 51.0 (28,608 inspections) |
| Norway PKK: fails, % (national average 33.7%) | 29.9 (10,382 inspections) | 36.0 (6,944 inspections) |
| Expected MOT repair bill, £ (estimate) | £34 | £49 |
| Repair bill range, £ (catalogue range, not a 95% interval) | £34–£64 | £49–£92 |
Source: DVSA vehicle recalls register (OGL v3.0); Statens vegvesen PKK (CC BY 4.0), Traficom Katsastus (CC BY 4.0), RDW APK (CC0), adapted; UK repair price catalogue · Window: register as published; inspections 2024 · n = 72,364 (inspections abroad) · Method: recall campaigns matched by make and model, licensed-fleet denominator where available; abroad, samples below 500 suppressed and each model set against that country's own average, with no difference taken across countries; repair bill = chance of failing each item × its most common UK repair price, a catalogue estimate · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV · licences and full notice
How to cite this comparison
MOT Risk Index (2026). Ford Kuga vs Kia Sportage: MOT statistics 2024 (data release dvsa-2024-v2; full dataset motriskindex-families-2024-v5, DOI 10.5281/zenodo.22975051), updated 25 September 2026. motriskindex.co.uk/compare/ford-kuga-vs-kia-sportage/
How the MOT Risk Index and every figure on this page are calculated: methodology.
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Ford Kuga vs Kia Sportage: quick answers
Is the Ford Kuga or the Kia Sportage more reliable?
Allowing for age, the Ford Kuga fails less often: MOT Risk Index 90.2 against 104.9 (100 = normal for its age; difference 14.7, 95% CI 13.7–15.7).
Does the Ford Kuga or the Kia Sportage fail more MOTs?
22.0% of Ford Kuga first tests and 24.3% of Kia Sportage first tests failed in 2024. These raw rates do not allow for age; the MOT Risk Index does.
Which should I buy, the Ford Kuga or the Kia Sportage?
If MOT reliability decides it, the evidence favours the Ford Kuga. Still check the individual car's MOT history: these figures describe whole model populations.