- Reliability Index score out of 100
- 78
- Average repair cost
- £1199
- Most regular repair request
- Clutch
- Average age at repair
- 8 years
- Average mileage at repair
- 76,600 miles
Kia Sportage: A Reliable Choice for Used SUV Buyers?
The Kia Sportage has become one of the most popular SUVs (Sport’s Utility Vehicle) in the UK, consistently ranking among the top-selling vehicles in recent years. In January 2022, it even claimed the title of best-selling new car in the country [1]. This success can be attributed to the Sportage’s combination of attractive styling, practicality, and value for money.
The Kia Sportage is an SUV which tends to be popular for those with families. Safety is a top priority for family vehicles, and the Sportage excels in this area, having received high safety ratings and numerous awards, including the “Family Car of the Year” at the Motor Awards 2022 and “Best Family SUV” at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards 2023.
But how does it fare in terms of reliability, especially as a used vehicle? Let’s dive into the reliability data for the Kia Sportage, breaking down key insights to help you feel confident in your used car ownership journey.
Kia Sportage’s Overall Score: 78
The Kia Sportage has an overall score of 78, putting it in the middle of the pack in our SUV reliability rankings. While it doesn’t lead the charts, it’s still a respectable score, reflecting consistent performance across areas like repair frequency, cost of repairs, and how age and mileage affect reliability.
Most regular repair requests
For the Kia Sportage, the most regular repair requests relate to the clutch system. Minor clutch problems can escalate into major failures if left unaddressed, resulting in much higher repair bills. What starts as a simple adjustment could turn into a full clutch replacement or even transmission damage [2].
As the clutch is a core component for operating your vehicle, any issues should be looked at promptly to ensure driver safety. A failing clutch can compromise vehicle control, especially during critical manoeuvres like accelerating to merge or overtake. This increases the risk of accidents and endangers drivers and other road users [2].
While clutch repairs are common in manual vehicles, they can be costly and inconvenient, having an extended warranty can offer peace of mind to Kia Sportage owners concerned about clutch problems. Consider it your safety net.
Most expensive repair: Engine replacement
The most expensive repair request recorded for the Kia Sportage involves an engine replacement, with costs reaching £10,404.00. This is one of the most expensive repairs on the list when you compare it to the Honda CR-V which had £2,519.17 and the Renault Captur which had £4,288.70.
Although such serious engine issues don’t happen often, when they do occur, the data tells us they can be extremely costly. It’s a good reminder to thoroughly check the service history and overall condition of any used Sportage you’re considering, especially for models with high mileage. And if your used Kia Sportage is out of warranty, be sure to protect yourself against expensive engine repair bills with an extended warranty.
Average repair costs: a balanced outlook
The average repair request for the Kia Sportage stands at £1,199.31. This figure is slightly higher than some competitors, such as the Dacia Duster (£685.63), but lower than others, like the Mitsubishi Outlander (£1,527.79). This suggests that while the Sportage offers decent reliability when repairs are needed, it can be on the pricier side.
Age and mileage factors
The average age at which repair requests start appearing for the Sportage is 8.1 years, with an average mileage of 76,623 miles. The minimum age at which a repair was first recorded is 3.5 years, indicating that even relatively newer models may experience some issues. Buyers should be cautious when considering older models or those with high mileage, as these tend to be when more significant repairs are likely.
Running costs: What to expect
The Kia Sportage offers a good mix of reliability and running costs, though it isn’t the cheapest to maintain in its class. With repair costs averaging over £1,200, it’s important to budget for potential expenses. However, the Sportage balances these costs with a generally dependable performance, making it a good value for money overall.
Market pricing for used Kia Sportages
According to current listings, prices for used Sportages start from around £8,998 for older models, while newer versions can reach up to £36,998 for nearly new, high-spec variants [3]. The average price for a used Sportage is approximately £17,103.71, providing a mid-range option for many buyers [4].
Factors influencing pricing include age, mileage, trim level, and powertrain type. For instance, the sought-after plug-in hybrid models tend to command higher prices due to their fuel efficiency and low company car tax rates. For buyers looking for a reliable SUV with a good balance between price and features, the Sportage is a strong contender.
Final thoughts
The Kia Sportage is a solid choice for those seeking a practical and stylish SUV with reasonable reliability. With its overall score of 78 and a reputation for being dependable, the KIA Sportage is a vehicle that can serve well in both urban and rural environments. However, the slightly higher-than-average repair costs and potential for clutch-related repairs mean that buyers should be prepared for some expenses down the road.
An extended warranty might be a worthwhile consideration. Buy an extended car warranty online and start your journey to peace of mind motoring.
Sources
[1] https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/motoring/car-reviews/kia-sportage-mirror-choice-review-31049511
Disclaimer: Warrantywise Reliability Index Scoring and Data: Rank is measured by repair request frequency, average vehicle age at the time of fault, average mileage, and average labour time, from 1 August 2021 and 1 August 2024, and includes vehicles between three and ten years old where there are a minimum of 250 cars on cover. Average repair costs collated over a period between 1 August 2021 and 1 August 2024. Since the sample was selected, Warrantywise has seen a significant rise in the price of labour and parts, which will impact future repair costs. All data used is from Warrantywise’s proprietary internal research. Warrantywise believes the information contained herein to be accurate at the time of release. However, the company may upload new or updated information if required and assumes that it is not liable for the accuracy of any information interpreted and used by the reader.
Warranty FAQ’s.
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A car warranty, or an extended car warranty as you may also see it called, can help to pay for the cost of fixing your car if something goes wrong with it, like a mechanical or electrical problem.
New cars usually come with a warranty that lasts for 3 years. This means the manufacturer will fix any problems during that time. After this period any repairs or problems will need to be fixed by the vehicle owner.
For peace of mind, after your manufacturer’s warranty expires to help you seek to manage repair costs effectively, you can purchase an extended warranty.
Warranties do not include all defects. Most warranties will never pay for accidental damage or premature failure of a part.
You must read the plan terms and conditions of any warranty before you take it out.
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Our warranties are discretionary. This discretion allows for flexibility, as in each case we exercise our discretion to decide whether and how to resolve repair claims.
We have appointed an independent arbiter, Edd China, to ensure that any disputes with customers are resolved in a fair and un-biased manner. In the event of a dispute between us, Edd China has the final ‘discretion’.
This is what makes Warrantywise unique.
With access to our network of approved repair centres, you can rely on professional and reliable repairs.
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An extended car warranty from Warrantywise provides protection for your vehicle beyond the manufacturer’s warranty, shielding you from unexpected repair costs that can arise due to mechanical or electrical failures. With additional benefits including recovery, car hire and onward travel, to name but a few, our warranty gives you peace of mind, eliminating the stress and hassle associated with unforeseen repairs and expenses. With access to our network of approved repair centres, you can rely on professional and reliable repairs. By choosing Warrantywise, you can budget more effectively and avoid unexpected costs with cover you can be confident in.
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Our warranties are designed to provide the widest potential scope of repairs for the age and mileage of your vehicle. We automatically select the most appropriate level of plan for your vehicle, which you can then tailor to meet your specific needs during the online quote process or by speaking with one of our team of warranty experts on 0800 001 4990, who will help you through the process.
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At Warrantywise, we aim to make the repair process hassle-free for everyone. When If you choose one of our Authorised Repairers to carry out an approved repair, we will handle the settlement of the repair cost directly with them, eliminating the need for you to make any payments.
We always recommend using one of our Approved Repairers. Their repair facilities undergo careful monitoring to guarantee the best workmanship and service quality.
However, we understand that you may have a preferred garage in mind. If that’s the case, please ensure they are VAT registered and follow our provided ‘Repairs Procedure’ outlined in the plan booklet. It’s also crucial to verify that their labour rate aligns with your warranty schedule.
If you decide to use your preferred garage, you may be required to pay the bill in full. However, rest assured, once the repair work has been agreed by us, we will promptly reimburse you directly for the agreed expenses. Our aim is to provide convenience and financial peace of mind throughout the repair journey.
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As long as your car has an up to date service history you don’t necessarily need to service the car before we issue a warranty. However, if the vehicle doesn’t have evidence that the last service was performed at the correct time, you will need to arrange to have the car serviced to the manufacturer’s recommendations before your warranty cover is effective. Please refer to Section G – Servicing your vehicle for full details.
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It is the vehicle owner’s responsibility to maintain their vehicle. Following the manufacturer’s service schedule ensures that vehicles are properly maintained.
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It is important to thoroughly check the service history of a second-hand vehicle before purchasing. Where the previous owner has missed a service, we’ll still provide a warranty if the service history is brought up to date according to the manufacturer’s recommendations (including any recommended remedial work). This must be brought up to date immediately and proof of the service provided.
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No, you don’t have to have a car inspected before it can go on cover.
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Our warranties are available in lengths to suit your needs. From monthly warranties to 12, 24 or 36 month warranties.
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You can choose to pay for your warranty in full, over 4 month or PAYG (monthly pay as you go).
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All Warrantywise plans come with a no question 14 day money back guarantee. You can cancel the plan at any time within the first 14 days and providing you have not requested that we meet the cost of any repairs, we will cancel the plan and refund your payment without deduction.
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We always recommend using one of our Approved Repairers. These repair facilities undergo careful monitoring to guarantee the best workmanship and service quality. However, we understand that you may have a preferred garage in mind. If that’s the case, please ensure they are VAT registered and follow our provided ‘Repairs Procedure’ outlined in the plan booklet. It’s also crucial to verify that their labor rate aligns with your warranty schedule.
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Our repairs office hours are 8.30am-5.00pm Monday – Friday (except bank holidays). If you breakdown out of hours, please phone our 24/7 breakdown service on 0800 054 2174. For full details on what to do with regards to repairs out of hours, please refer to Section H in your plan book.
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It is important to stop driving the vehicle immediately, and call our repairs team on 01254 355102. The lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 12pm. In the case of an emergency breakdown out of hours, please call 0800 054 2174. If you continue to drive after you suspect a fault, it could affect your warranty. Rest assured, we are here to assist you throughout the process.
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The Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘Electrical’ as: (1) concerned with, operating by, or producing electricity. This means it has to be powered by, use, or produce electricity in order to function. NB: There are some items listed under our Additions that we will never pay for under the warranty.
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The Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘Mechanical’ as: (1) relating to or operated by a machine or machinery. (2) relating to physical forces or motion. This basically means it has to be a part that moves, is moved and/or is acted upon by something else that makes it do that motion. NB: There are some items listed under our Additions that we will never pay for under the warranty.
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If, during a journey, your Vehicle suffers a Breakdown within Great Britain you can telephone 0844 693 1910 (24h service) and we will arrange for an engineer to attend. If your Vehicle suffers a breakdown whilst in the European Union, you will need to make your own recovery arrangements and submit a claim under the warranty.
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If your repair is approved and you need a hire car, because your vehicle is off the road, we may reimburse you for up 10 days for car hire, please refer to the terms of your warranty for details.
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If you purchased your warranty directly, then yes. If you sell your car, you can transfer the remainder of your warranty to your new vehicle. Depending on the make, age and mileage of your new car additional charges may apply. Call our admin team on 0800 001 4990 for full details.
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We take complaints very seriously and all complaints are thoroughly investigated by our Customer Relations Team. Our commitment to customer satisfaction means that if you are dissatisfied with the initial response, we have an escalation process in place to address your concerns further. We value your feedback and strive to continuously improve our services, ensuring that your experience with Warrantywise is of the highest standard. For more information on the escalation process, please refer to our complaints page, and if we cannot resolve your complaint between us, you can refer it to Edd China for consideration in his role as Final Arbiter.
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All calls are answered directly from our UK offices by our knowledgeable and experienced customer advice teams. We take pride in providing exceptional customer service and ensuring that your enquiries and concerns are addressed promptly and efficiently. Our dedicated teams are here to assist you with any questions you may have, offering expert guidance and support.
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Edd China fulfils the role of independent arbiter, this means he has the final say over any dispute that we cannot resolve between us, subject of course to your statutory rights.
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Quentin Willson was instrumental in working with Warrantywise from 2007 to 2023 to develop our extended warranty plans to ensure they are clear, transparent and comprehensive. In July 2023, he passed over the responsibility of final arbiter to Edd China who will use his ‘discretion’ to ensure a fair and equitable resolution on a case-by-case basis.