This diesel Sportage with a manual gearbox is aimed at buyers who do lots of kilometres — expect good real-world fuel figures on the motorway and useful towing capacity compared with petrol variants. Modern Kia diesels typically have a DPF and may use AdBlue/NOx aftertreatment, so check regeneration and dosing-system history; the car will likely still have most of Kia’s factory warranty left and that can be checked with the VIN.

• Clutch condition and biting point — test for slipping under load and uneven engagement, especially after a long motorway run.
• DPF/EGR behaviour — ask whether the car has completed regular long runs (look for recent regeneration events and any DPF warning lights or stored fault codes).
• AdBlue tank and dosing system (if fitted) — check for warning lights, injector faults and evidence of regular top-ups.
• Suspension and rear ride height — inspect for sagging or signs of heavy towing/load (rear springs, shock absorbers, and tyre wear).
• Towbar and wiring (if fitted) — check mounting security, corrosion on the hitch and correct operation of trailer electrics.