Kia Sportage vs Toyota C-HR: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Toyota C-HR does better at its MOT: measured against cars of the same age, it comes out 4.5 percentage points ahead of the Kia Sportage on first-time MOT passes. That comparison covers 42,497 real tests across every generation on the road, not a survey. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure. The MOT checks safety and emissions items, not the engine, clutch or gearbox, so this is one measure of how each car holds up rather than a full reliability verdict; the common faults below cover the rest.

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.

Kia Sportage

Pass rate80.5%

Age-matched national81.7%

Difference-1.3

Tests32,024

Toyota C-HR

Pass rate90.6%

Age-matched national87.3%

Difference+3.2

Tests10,473

Model	Pass rate	Age-matched national	Difference	Tests
Kia Sportage	80.5%	81.7%	-1.3	32,024
Toyota C-HR	90.6%	87.3%	+3.2	10,473

These figures count every generation still on the road, not only the one described below: mostly Kia Sportages registered 2010–2022 and Toyota C-HRs registered 2017–2022.

Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a first-time pass; DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. The difference is worked out before rounding, so it can be 0.1 away from the two rounded figures beside it.

Kia Sportage

NQ5, 2022+ · compact crossover SUV

The NQ5 Kia Sportage (UK deliveries from 2022) 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 2022 PHEV.

What goes wrong

1.6 T-GDI oil consumption (shared with Hyundai)moderate
Oil drop between services
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
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:: not given as a fixed figure — the model guide shows the median and middle 80% of asking prices for the cars advertised on Autoza that day, when at least 10 qualify
Fuel 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 (2026/27 rates). A car registered from April 2017 that listed at over £40,000 new (options included) also pays the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 — it is the price when new that counts, not what you pay for it used.
Best years:: 2023, 2024
Years to avoid:: 2022 (PHEV)

Used Kia Sportages for sale Full Sportage fault guide Used Kias

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Toyota C-HR

Mk1 (2016–2023) · B/C crossover SUV with a distinctive coupe-SUV styling. Launched in the UK in late 2016 with a 1.2-litre turbo petrol and the 1.8 Hybrid (122 PS); the 2.0 Hybrid (184 PS) arrived in 2020 and the line-up later became hybrid-only. No diesel variant.

The Toyota C-HR Hybrid has a strong reliability record — the hybrid system is proven and needs little unscheduled maintenance. The trade-offs are a cramped rear seat under the coupe roofline and a 377-litre boot. Some 2017–2022 builds are covered by DVSA brake-pedal and fuel-pump recalls, so check by registration.

What goes wrong

Safety recall R/2022/055recall
The initialization of the radar sensor may not have been completed correctly
42,554 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 20 March 2020 and 26 July 2021
Large recall — 42,554 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.
Safety recall R/2018/240recall
Engine wire harness connected to hybrid vehicle power control unit could contact cover
32,393 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 26 May 2016 and 8 May 2018
Large recall — 32,393 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.
CVT transmission whine or noiseminor
High-pitched whine from transmission under hard acceleration; "rubbery" CVT feel above 60 mph
All years (1.8 Hybrid CVT) · Above 50,000 miles — noise can increase with age · £0 — often normal CVT characteristics; ATF fluid change (£150–£250) can reduce noise on older units
Check: Accelerate firmly from 35–60 mph and listen for transmission noise. The 1.8 Hybrid CVT makes a characteristic high-pitched tone under hard acceleration — this is normal. Persistent grinding or rattling (rather than the characteristic tone) should be investigated.
12V auxiliary battery failuremoderate
Car fails to start; warning lights at startup; hybrid system fault codes; "ready" light does not illuminate
All years approaching 4–5 years old · From 4 years old regardless of mileage · £120–£250 12V auxiliary battery replacement
Check: On any C-HR approaching 5 years old, proactively budget for 12V auxiliary battery replacement. This is the most common unscheduled repair on the C-HR — the main traction battery is excellent, but the 12V auxiliary battery that wakes the hybrid system is a wear item.

Typical asking price:: £10,995–£19,834, median £13,995 (middle 80% and median, cars on Autoza on 29 October 2026)
Fuel economy:: 53–58 mpg official WLTP combined for the 1.8 Hybrid, 50–54 mpg for the 2.0 Hybrid (Toyota UK specification sheets).
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. A car registered from April 2017 with a list price over £40,000 when new adds the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 (£640 in all). Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2020, 2021, 2022
Years to avoid:: 2016

Used Toyota C-HRs for sale Full C-HR fault guide Used Toyotas

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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.

Toyota C-HR

Good for: Buyers who prioritise reliability and low ownership costs above all else. Urban and suburban drivers who don't need large rear space or a big boot. Buyers who want Toyota's proven hybrid system in a compact crossover body.

Less good for: Families with teenagers or tall passengers in the rear — the C-HR rear headroom is significantly compromised by the coupe roofline. Buyers who regularly carry large loads — the 377-litre boot is small for the class. Buyers who need to tow more than a light trailer — Toyota rates the C-HR Hybrid at 725 kg, braked or unbraked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the Kia Sportage or the Toyota C-HR?

On the MOT measure, the Toyota C-HR: measured against cars of the same age, it comes out 4.5 percentage points ahead of the Kia Sportage on first-time MOT passes, across 42,497 DVSA-recorded tests covering every generation on the road. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure. The MOT checks safety and emissions items, not the engine, clutch or gearbox, so this is one measure of how each car holds up rather than a full reliability verdict.

How do the MOT pass rates of the Kia Sportage and the Toyota C-HR compare?

80.5% of Kia Sportages pass their MOT first time (32,024 tests in DVSA's records) and 90.6% of Toyota C-HRs pass their MOT first time (10,473 tests). The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of the Kia Sportage's age average 81.7% and cars of the Toyota C-HR's age 87.3% — so the Kia Sportage runs 1.3 points worse than its age group and the Toyota C-HR runs 3.2 points better than its own. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure.

Which years of the Kia Sportage and Toyota C-HR should I avoid?

Kia Sportage: The plug-in hybrid reached the UK at the end of March 2022, and the first-year cars are the ones owners most often report battery thermal management issues on. How often it happens is not known. Toyota C-HR: 2016–2017 launch cars: a small number of CVT transmission noise complaints and early infotainment software issues. Also, pre-facelift 1.8 Hybrid's CVT can feel sluggish on motorway overtakes. These are minor concerns — the C-HR was reliable from launch, just less polished. The DVSA MOT table on this page rates 2017 registrations above all cars registered that year, so it is not named as a year to avoid.

Is the Kia Sportage or the Toyota C-HR cheaper to run?

On fuel it depends on the engine. Kia Sportage: 38–45 mpg 1.6 T-GDI petrol; 1.6 hybrid 43–50 mpg. Toyota C-HR: 53–58 mpg official WLTP combined for the 1.8 Hybrid, 50–54 mpg for the 2.0 Hybrid (Toyota UK specification sheets). WLTP figures are official lab results; your own driving can return a different figure. For cars registered from April 2017, vehicle tax works the same way for both: the £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included, plus the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 on a car that listed at over £40,000 new — the price when new, not what you pay for it used. Any Kia Sportage or Toyota C-HR registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017 pays a CO2 band instead, 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: 2026-10-06 / 2026-10-06.