Comparison · family SUVs

Ford Kuga vs Kia Sportage: which is more reliable?

The Ford Kuga does better at the MOT, with a score of 103 against 98 for the Kia Sportage, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 557,975 real MOT tests in 2024.

Ford Kuga

103Above average
MOT tests285,773

Kia Sportage

98About average
MOT tests272,202

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testFord KugaKia Sportage
3–5 years
102About average
97Below average
6–9 years
104Above average
100About average
10–14 years
103Above average
97Below average
15+ years
102Above average
89Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearFord KugaKia Sportage
202190.3%84.5%
202089.7%84.6%
201985.3%83.4%
201884.6%82.8%
201783.9%80.2%
201680.2%77.2%
201576.7%72.5%
201473.2%70.9%
201371.8%62.1%
201264.1%61.1%
201161.4%60.0%
201059.2%56.2%
200959.7%51.3%
200858.7%53.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaFord KugaKia Sportage
Brakes6.212.7
Lights & electrics9.36.4
Tyres6.36.9
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.24.9
Suspension3.25.9
Emissions & leaks2.02.0
Steering0.92.2
Body & chassis1.70.9

Ford Kuga: top failures

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.7%
  2. Position lamp: not working2.7%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.2%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.5%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.1%

Kia Sportage: top failures

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.3%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.3%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.0%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.5%
  5. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.2%
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.0%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Ford Kuga or the Kia Sportage?

The Ford Kuga does better at the MOT, with a score of 103 against 98 for the Kia Sportage, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Ford Kuga and Kia Sportage can be compared?

Both were tested for 14 registration years (2008–2021). The Ford Kuga had the higher pass rate in 14 of them and the Kia Sportage in 0.

What fails most on each?

Ford Kuga: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; position lamp: not working. Kia Sportage: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.