Comparison · family SUVs

Kia Sportage vs Volkswagen Tiguan: which is more reliable?

The Volkswagen Tiguan does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 98 for the Kia Sportage, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 507,450 real MOT tests in 2024.

By age

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

Age at test	Kia Sportage	Volkswagen Tiguan
3–5 years	97Below average	103Above average
6–9 years	100About average	107Above average
10–14 years	97Below average	107Above average
15+ years	89Well below average	109Well above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	Kia Sportage	Volkswagen Tiguan
2021	84.5%	89.1%
2020	84.6%	89.0%
2019	83.4%	88.1%
2018	82.8%	86.4%
2017	80.2%	86.4%
2016	77.2%	84.2%
2015	72.5%	78.3%
2014	70.9%	74.4%
2013	62.1%	73.4%
2012	61.1%	69.3%
2011	60.0%	65.4%
2010	56.2%	63.3%
2009	51.3%	63.4%
2008	53.3%	62.0%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	Kia Sportage	Volkswagen Tiguan
Brakes	12.7	4.2
Suspension	5.9	7.8
Tyres	6.9	6.3
Lights & electrics	6.4	4.0
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	4.9	2.1
Emissions & leaks	2.0	1.9
Steering	2.2	0.3
Body & chassis	0.9	1.0

Kia Sportage: top failures

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

Volkswagen Tiguan: top failures

Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.2%
Coil spring: fractured or broken2.1%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.7%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.5%
Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Kia Sportage or the Volkswagen Tiguan?

The Volkswagen Tiguan does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 98 for the Kia Sportage, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Kia Sportage and Volkswagen Tiguan can be compared?

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

What fails most on each?

Kia Sportage: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Volkswagen Tiguan: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn.