Although the dealer listed it as an MPV, the Sportage is a compact SUV — roomy for five and easier to park than bigger SUVs. Diesel manuals are efficient on long journeys but carry diesel-specific systems: a DPF and often an EGR and AdBlue system; these work well on regular motorway use but can cause trouble if the car is used only for short urban trips. Kia models usually come with a long manufacturer warranty in Ireland which covers many issues early in ownership — confirm the remaining warranty and that any software/recall updates are done.

• Clutch bite and gear selection: test for smooth shifts, no slipping or judder especially from cold.
• DPF/EGR condition: check for excessive soot at the tailpipe and ask if frequent regen events have occurred (important if the car did urban duty).
• AdBlue filler and consumption: ensure cap is present and dealer can show typical top-up intervals.
• Electricals and driver aids: verify reversing camera/sensors, lane assist and infotainment work and that any dealer recalls/updates were completed.
• Tyres and underbody: inspect tyre wear for evenness and look for stone-chips or damage under the front bumper where diesel cars get soot build-up.