Ford Kuga vs Kia Sportage: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Ford Kuga is the more reliable used buy: it passes its first MOT 3.5 percentage points more often than the Kia Sportage once both are compared against what the national fleet scores at the same age. That comparison covers 64,893 real tests, not a survey.

MOT first-time pass rate

Counted from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test records. “vs age-matched” compares each model against what the national fleet scores at the same age — the only fair better-or-worse number, because an older fleet fails more whatever its build quality.

Model	Pass rate	Age-matched national	Difference	Tests
Ford Kuga	83.4%	81.2%	+2.2	32,869
Kia Sportage	80.5%	81.7%	-1.3	32,024

Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Applies to Great Britain — Northern Ireland is tested by the DVA under a separate manual.

Ford Kuga

Mk3, 2019+ · compact family PHEV/hybrid SUV

The Mk3 Ford Kuga (2019+) is the UK's most popular PHEV family SUV, widely chosen for BIK tax benefits. The headline risk on 2019–2020 PHEVs is a battery coolant leak — a safety recall was issued over potential fire risk. Always verify the recall is completed by VIN before buying any early PHEV. The 1.5 EcoBoost petrol also has a documented coolant-to-cylinder issue. Post-recall 2021+ PHEV and the simpler FHEV (mild hybrid) are significantly more reliable. Best buy: 2021+ PHEV (recall confirmed) or 2022+ FHEV. Worst: 2019–2020 PHEV without recall verification.

What goes wrong

PHEV battery coolant leak — fire risk recall (2019–2020)critical
Warning lamp on dashboard. In severe cases, smoke or burning smell near the battery pack. Most affected cars showed no warning before failure.
2019–2020 (PHEV variant only) · Covered free under recall — Ford UK replaced the battery coolant system. If not yet completed, budget £2,800–£4,500.
Check: Before purchasing any 2019–2020 Kuga PHEV: check the VIN via Ford UK or an authorised Ford dealer. If the recall has not been completed, do not buy until it is rectified. This is a fire-safety issue — non-negotiable.
1.5 EcoBoost coolant loss — cylinder head (2019–2021)major
Low coolant warning lamp; white smoke from exhaust on startup; creamy emulsion on the oil filler cap
2019–2021 (1.5 EcoBoost petrol and PHEV) · £800–£2,200 cylinder head gasket or EGR cooler repair; covered under Ford extended warranty TSB on qualifying VINs
Check: Inspect the oil filler cap for creamy residue (head gasket symptom). Check coolant level and colour. Ask the selling dealer if the TSB repair has been applied — Ford issued a Technical Service Bulletin for this issue; post-TSB cars are resolved.
SYNC 3 / SYNC 4 infotainment freezingmoderate
Touchscreen unresponsive or slow to wake; Apple CarPlay or Android Auto drops out; system reboots mid-journey
2019–2021 (SYNC 3 — more affected); 2022+ SYNC 4 improved · £0 — dealer or OTA software update resolves most cases
Check: During test drive, cycle through multiple menus, connect a phone via CarPlay, and check the system wakes quickly after startup. A free software update from a Ford dealer resolves most SYNC freezes. If the system crashes during your test, request the update before completing purchase.
Panoramic sunroof drain blockagemoderate
Water dripping into front or rear footwell; musty smell; staining on headliner fabric
All panoramic roof variants · £120–£350 drain flush and clear; £600–£1,200 headliner replacement if water-stained
Check: Check the front footwell carpet corners for dampness. A sunroof drain test (pour water around the seal edge, observe for leaks below) takes 2 minutes and can save a costly repair. Annual drain flush is good practice in the UK's wet climate.

Typical asking price:: £8,000–£30,000 (Mk3 2019–2023; PHEV/FHEV at the top end)
Real-world economy:: PHEV: 35–42 miles of official electric range depending on model year and wheel size — budget for 26–33 miles in real UK use and less in winter. Once the battery is flat it drives as an ordinary hybrid at roughly 39–49 mpg, so the economy you get depends almost entirely on whether you can charge at home. FHEV (non-plug-in): 40–47 mpg real-world UK mixed
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Years to avoid:: 2019, 2020

Full Kuga fault guide Used Fords

Kia Sportage

NQ5, 2021+ · compact crossover SUV

The NQ5 Kia Sportage (2021+) shares the Hyundai Tucson's platform and engines, so faults are similar: 1.6 T-GDI oil consumption claims (largely resolved), PHEV battery cooling pump, and minor TPMS quirks. Kia's 7-year warranty covers most of the risk. Best-buy: 2023+. Worst: early 2021 PHEV.

What goes wrong

1.6 T-GDI oil consumption (shared with Hyundai)moderate
Oil drop between services
2021–2022 · Usually goodwill within 7-yr warranty; out of warranty engine rebuild £3,500+
Check: Dipstick at viewing; service history.
PHEV battery cooling pumpmajor
"Hybrid system" warning; reduced EV range
2021–2022 PHEV · Under warranty; £1,200+ otherwise
Check: PHEV battery health check (£30–£50 at Kia dealer).
TPMS sensor faultsminor
"Tyre pressure" warning despite correct pressures
All NQ5 · £80–£140 per sensor
Check: Visual check on dash — no warnings.
Front suspension bushingsminor
Knocking on rough roads
All NQ5 · 50,000+ miles · £250–£400
Check: Rough-road test drive.

Typical asking price:: £17,000–£38,000 (2021–2024)
Real-world economy:: 38–45 mpg 1.6 T-GDI petrol; 1.6 hybrid 43–50 mpg
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2023, 2024
Years to avoid:: 2021 (PHEV)

Full Sportage fault guide Used Kias

Which one suits you

Ford Kuga

Good for: Company car drivers benefiting from low BIK on PHEV (CO₂ under 50g/km). Families wanting a practical 5-seat SUV with home-charging for daily commutes. Buyers who charge at home and want meaningful EV range for short town journeys.

Less good for: 2019–2020 PHEV until confirmed recall is complete. Buyers who want plug-in simplicity should consider the simpler FHEV or Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Diesel buyers doing short city journeys — DPF trouble is near-certain.

Kia Sportage

Good for: Family buyers wanting Kia's 7-year warranty for peace of mind.

Less good for: Buyers needing premium badge.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The Ford Kuga. It passes its first MOT 3.5 percentage points more often than the Kia Sportage once both are age-adjusted, across 64,893 DVSA-recorded tests.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Kuga?

83.4% of Ford Kugas pass their MOT first time, from 32,869 tests in DVSA's records. The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of this model's age average 81.2% — so it runs 2.2 points better than its age group.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Kia Sportage?

80.5% of Kia Sportages pass their MOT first time, from 32,024 tests. Against the 81.7% that cars of its age average, it runs 1.3 points worse.

Which years should I avoid?

For the Ford Kuga, 2019–2020 Mk3 PHEV affected by a battery coolant leak recall involving potential fire risk. Ford issued a stop-sale and repair programme. Always verify by VIN whether the recall was completed before purchasing any 2019–2020 PHEV. For the Kia Sportage, Initial-year PHEV had highest rate of battery thermal management issues.

Which is cheaper to run?

The Ford Kuga returns PHEV: 35–42 miles of official electric range depending on model year and wheel size — budget for 26–33 miles in real UK use and less in winter. Once the battery is flat it drives as an ordinary hybrid at roughly 39–49 mpg, so the economy you get depends almost entirely on whether you can charge at home. FHEV (non-plug-in): 40–47 mpg real-world UK mixed in real UK driving; the Kia Sportage returns 38–45 mpg 1.6 T-GDI petrol; 1.6 hybrid 43–50 mpg. Vehicle tax: Kuga — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).; Sportage — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).. Insurance differs mainly by driver and postcode rather than by model, so treat any model-level insurance figure with caution.

MOT figures are counted from DVSA records and are the only measured statistic here. Prices, economy and tax bands are indicative and vary by specification, condition and where the car has lived. Last reviewed: 2026-08-14 / 2026-08-14.