Kia Sportage vs Volkswagen Tiguan: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Volkswagen Tiguan is the more reliable used buy: it passes its first MOT 3.4 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 58,452 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
Volkswagen Tiguan	83.7%	81.6%	+2.1	26,428

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

Volkswagen Tiguan

Mk2, 2016–2023 (Allspace 2017+) · compact-to-mid family SUV (5 or 7 seat)

The Mk2 VW Tiguan (2016–2023) is the UK's best-selling premium SUV, but the DSG DQ200 dry-clutch gearbox on 1.4 TSI variants is the headline risk up to 75,000 miles, and EA288 diesel EGR recall must be verified. Post-2020 Allspace with DQ381 wet-clutch DSG is substantially more durable. Best-buy: 2020+ Allspace TDI. Worst: 2016–2018 1.4 TSI DSG.

What goes wrong

DSG DQ200 mechatronic failure (1.4 TSI)major
Hesitation pulling away; juddering in low gears; jerky 1-2 shift; "gearbox" warning
2016–2018 1.4 TSI with DQ200 · 70,000–85,000 miles · £1,500–£2,500 mechatronic; full DSG rebuild from £3,200
Check: Confirm gearbox type via VIN check before viewing: the wet-clutch DQ381 takes an oil-and-filter service every 40,000 miles, while VW schedules none for the dry-clutch DQ200. Uphill pull from standstill — any judder = warning. Diagnostic scan for P-codes in transmission module.
EGR cooler recall (EA288 2.0 TDI)major
Coolant loss; coolant system pressure drop; rare EGR cooler failure (fire risk recall)
2016–2018 2.0 TDI · Free under recall; £900–£1,400 if not yet completed and fault develops
Check: Verify recall completion via VIN at Volkswagen UK or the gov.uk recall checker (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall). Recall reference 23R6 / 23Y7. No recall history = ask dealer to complete before sale.
DPF blockage (2.0 TDI short-trip)major
Limp mode; "DPF full" warning; loss of power; failed regen cycle
All TDI Tiguans · Usage-pattern-driven, not mileage-driven · £350–£700 forced regen; £1,500–£2,800 DPF replacement
Check: Ask seller for typical journey length. Tiguans used exclusively for school-run trips are high risk. OBD scan: check DPF soot load percentage.
AdBlue NOx sensor failure (Euro 6 TDI)moderate
"AdBlue" system warning; countdown to no-start; reduced power
All Euro 6 TDI (2016+) · 50,000–75,000 miles · £350–£600 sensor; £100–£150 AdBlue refill
Check: Diagnostic scan for P20EE or P229F codes. AdBlue tank should be at least 25% full at viewing — a nearly empty tank tells you the seller wasn't maintaining it.

Typical asking price:: £11,000–£35,000 (2016–2023)
Real-world economy:: 2.0 TDI 150: 40–47 mpg real-world. 1.5 TSI petrol: 31–38 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:: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Years to avoid:: 2016, 2017, 2018

Full Tiguan fault guide Used Volkswagens

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.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Good for: UK families wanting a genuine 5-seat (or 7-seat Allspace) premium SUV with strong resale value. The 2020+ 2.0 TDI with DQ381 is the best rounded buy — low road tax, solid economy, durable gearbox.

Less good for: Buyers tempted by a pre-2019 1.4 TSI with DQ200 and high mileage without DSG service history — the repair risk is high. Short-trip city drivers considering the diesel.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The Volkswagen Tiguan. It passes its first MOT 3.4 percentage points more often than the Kia Sportage once both are age-adjusted, across 58,452 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 Volkswagen Tiguan?

83.7% of Volkswagen Tiguans pass their MOT first time, from 26,428 tests. Against the 81.6% that cars of its age average, it runs 2.1 points better.

Which years should I avoid?

For the Kia Sportage, Initial-year PHEV had highest rate of battery thermal management issues. For the Volkswagen Tiguan, Early Mk2 with the 1.4 TSI and DQ200 dry-clutch DSG followed the same failure pattern as the Passat B8: mechatronic failure around 70,000–85,000 miles at £1,500–£2,500. Several UK dealers refuse pre-2019 DQ200 Tiguans in part-exchange.

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 Volkswagen Tiguan returns 2.0 TDI 150: 40–47 mpg real-world. 1.5 TSI petrol: 31–38 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).; Tiguan — £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.