Comparison · family SUVs

Kia Sportage vs Toyota RAV4: which is more reliable?

The Toyota RAV4 does better at the MOT, with a score of 108 against 98 for the Kia Sportage, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 399,977 real MOT tests in 2024.

Kia Sportage

98About average
MOT tests272,202

Toyota RAV4

108Well above average
MOT tests127,775

By age

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

Age at testKia SportageToyota RAV4
3–5 years
97Below average
106Above average
6–9 years
100About average
107Above average
10–14 years
97Below average
115Well above average
15+ years
89Well below average
107Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearKia SportageToyota RAV4
202184.5%92.1%
202084.6%91.3%
201983.4%90.9%
201882.8%85.8%
201780.2%84.3%
201677.2%84.3%
201572.5%81.4%
201470.9%79.6%
201362.1%78.3%
201261.1%74.9%
201160.0%69.7%
201056.2%68.8%
200951.3%65.8%
200853.3%61.3%
200750.2%59.5%
200649.9%59.3%
200550.4%63.4%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaKia SportageToyota RAV4
Brakes12.78.5
Lights & electrics6.411.0
Suspension5.99.6
Tyres6.94.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.94.4
Emissions & leaks2.03.8
Body & chassis0.93.3
Steering2.20.5

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%

Toyota RAV4: top failures

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.2%
  2. Position lamp: not working2.1%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.5%
  4. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.1%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.0%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.0%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Kia Sportage or the Toyota RAV4?

The Toyota RAV4 does better at the MOT, with a score of 108 against 98 for the Kia Sportage, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4 can be compared?

Both were tested for 17 registration years (2005–2021). The Kia Sportage had the higher pass rate in 0 of them and the Toyota RAV4 in 17.

What fails most on each?

Kia Sportage: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Toyota RAV4: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; position lamp: not working.