Kia Sportage vs Mazda CX-5: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Mazda CX-5 is the more reliable used buy: it passes its first MOT 1.8 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 39,538 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
Kia Sportage	80.5%	81.7%	-1.3	32,024
Mazda CX-5	83.2%	82.7%	+0.5	7,514

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.

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

Mazda CX-5

KF, 2017–2024 (2022 facelift) · mid-size family SUV

The KF Mazda CX-5 (2017–2024) is one of the more reliable mid-size SUVs sold in the UK, but the dominant 2.2 SkyActiv-D diesel suffers fuel-in-oil dilution and DPF blockage on short urban journeys. Pre-2022 cars also have headlight clouding and dated Mazda Connect infotainment. Best-buy years: 2022–2024 (facelift). Worst: 2018.

What goes wrong

Engine — 2.2 SkyActiv-D fuel-in-oil dilutionmajor
Engine oil level rising above max on dipstick; diesel smell on dipstick; reduced oil viscosity; in extreme cases runaway-engine risk
2017–2021 (pre-software update); risk persists on any 2.2D used mainly for short urban trips · £180–£280 oil + filter change at independent specialist; £700+ if injector seals also need replacement
Check: Dipstick at viewing — oil level should be at or below max, not above. Sniff the dipstick for diesel. Ask the seller for the typical journey length: a 2.2D used mostly for sub-9 miles commutes is a red flag regardless of mileage.
DPF — 2.2 SkyActiv-D diesel particulate filtermajor
Limp mode; "DPF full" warning; loss of power on hills; failed regeneration cycles
All 2.2 SkyActiv-D, mileage- and usage-dependent · Typical issue 55,000+ miles when used for short urban journeys · £600–£1,200 forced regen + cleaning; £1,800–£3,000 DPF replacement
Check: Ask the seller for proof of recent motorway driving. Run a 30-minute mixed-speed test drive with an OBD reader connected (£20 phone tool) — watch DPF soot load. Avoid any car where the DPF has been removed or "remapped" — that voids the MOT and is a criminal offence in the UK.
Injector seal leakage (2.2 SkyActiv-D)moderate
Black sooty gunge around top of engine; diesel smell from bonnet area; rough idle on cold start
2017–2024 2.2D, more common above 60,000 miles · £200–£400 per injector seal kit + labour; £800–£1,200 if all four
Check: Pop the bonnet at viewing. Look at the cylinder head around each injector for black carbon staining — clean engine bay is the goal. Stained injectors mean leak in progress.
Headlight clouding (LED / HID lenses)minor
Milky-white or yellowed headlight lenses reducing beam pattern; failed MOT on light output
Pre-2022 facelift, all trims · Cosmetic — age-related, typically year 4+ · £120–£200 per lamp polish/refurb; £450–£700 per genuine Mazda LED unit replacement
Check: Visual inspection in daylight — lens should be clear, not foggy. Failed MOT on this fault is a common reason owners sell. Ask for last MOT certificate.

Typical asking price:: £12,000–£33,000 (2018–2024)
Real-world economy:: 2.2 SkyActiv-D 42–47 mpg real-world; 2.0 SkyActiv-G 31–35 mpg; 2.5 SkyActiv-G 28–33 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:: 2022, 2023, 2024
Years to avoid:: 2018

Full CX-5 fault guide Used Mazdas

Which one suits you

Kia Sportage

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

Less good for: Buyers needing premium badge.

Mazda CX-5

Good for: Family buyers wanting a premium-feeling Japanese SUV with strong long-term reliability, lower depreciation than German rivals, and a quiet refined cabin (especially post-2022 facelift). Best fit for drivers doing regular motorway miles.

Less good for: Short-trip city-only drivers buying the 2.2 SkyActiv-D — fuel-in-oil dilution and DPF clogging are use-pattern issues, not luck. Choose the 2.0 / 2.5 SkyActiv-G petrol or look elsewhere. Also not for buyers needing seven seats — CX-5 is strictly five-seat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the Kia Sportage or the Mazda CX-5?

The Mazda CX-5. It passes its first MOT 1.8 percentage points more often than the Kia Sportage once both are age-adjusted, across 39,538 DVSA-recorded tests.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Kia Sportage?

80.5% of Kia Sportages pass their MOT first time, from 32,024 tests in DVSA's records. The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of this model's age average 81.7% — so it runs 1.3 points worse than its age group.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Mazda CX-5?

83.2% of Mazda CX-5s pass their MOT first time, from 7,514 tests. Against the 82.7% that cars of its age average, it runs 0.5 points better.

Which years should I avoid?

For the Kia Sportage, Initial-year PHEV had highest rate of battery thermal management issues. For the Mazda CX-5, 2018 examples — the first full UK model year for the KF — saw the highest count of engine-related owner complaints, including oil leaks, oil consumption, and earliest reports of fuel-in-oil dilution on the 2.2 SkyActiv-D. Pre-update Mazda Connect was already feeling dated. Auto Reliability Index scores 2018 KF at 71/100 versus 87/100 for the 2022 facelift.

Which is cheaper to run?

The Kia Sportage returns 38–45 mpg 1.6 T-GDI petrol; 1.6 hybrid 43–50 mpg in real UK driving; the Mazda CX-5 returns 2.2 SkyActiv-D 42–47 mpg real-world; 2.0 SkyActiv-G 31–35 mpg; 2.5 SkyActiv-G 28–33 mpg. Vehicle tax: 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).; CX-5 — £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.