The engine failed catastrophically because the connecting rod broke.

[Liveek]

I paid sixteen grand for my Sportage on January 3, 2025. The mileage was 28,00.
In early November, I had a service cone, during which the oil, air, and filter were replaced. From time to time, I detected what I assumed to be an engine/exhaust odour.


Up until the conrod broke catastrophically on November 23, 2025, I was satisfied with it. After a tremendous crash, my speed dropped, and oil spurted out in all directions on a heavily used dual road.

I had to pay extra to have the vehicle hauled to a nearby kia dealership and then lease a new vehicle.

"Your service book will not be accepted by Kia unless you have your invoices and receipts," the garage promptly said. It is most likely that the con rod broke due to an absence of lubrication.
There is no documentation of service with the stamps, according to Kia. Receipts, etc., are required.

As a result, I learnt that the vehicle had its engine rebuilt at 12,000 miles. Engine was serviced at 22,000 miles and suspension at 27,500. Everything was done at the same garage, who flat-out denied any involvement. The documentation from a prior owner, nevertheless, was located by me.

The garage where I purchased it was located only around the corner from the one that sold it (the Kia dealership).

"It seems you do have a warranty," KIA is now stating. Okay. If a comprehensive diagnostic is performed by a kia shop, they will replace the engine at no cost to you. This will set you back £782. If it turns out to be a defect in production, the warranty will pay for it.

Of course, prejudice worries me.
I'm wondering whether the engine rebuild will be acknowledged as the possible cause.

In addition to the £782 I have spent on the first 4,000 kilometres, the cost of a new engine is £5-6,000.

Listen, I'm ill, you guys. It ruined our Christmas and now I'm terrified someone will have a grudge against me.

Even while the ombudsman and trade standards are on board, this won't solve the problem anytime soon.

Does anybody else have experience with this or have any suggestions to offer?

[Talentrews]

I'll admit it: this is the main reason franchises hurt manufacturers.

Everything was done at the same garage, who flat-out denied any involvement. The documentation from a prior owner, nevertheless, was located by me.Which Kia dealership was that garage?

[Sumoto]

After reading your comment, I feel that you should clarify exactly what Kia is selling.

Apparently, Kia said, "This will be covered by the warranty IF it is found to be a manufacturing fault."


Your suggestion that it should state "if it is found to be a rebuild fault" is incorrect.


It's a matter of semantics and subtlety, but if Kia would only pay for faulty components made by the manufacturer, they will probably try to avoid paying for rebuild errors and will instead pass the expense on to their franchisee. No way a franchisee would be able to pay for a new engine without fighting.

[Liveek]

I fear you could be right, unfortunately. Getting here has been no picnic. There will be a more formidable opponent waiting for me. They probably won't topple over, and I agree with you. I've already gotten the prior owner on board and made it plain that I'm willing to go to court, so... I am not going down without a struggle, and I intend to make a stink about it!

[Sumoto]

My heart goes out to you since the situation you've described is so terrible. Without repeating what you've already said, I can only remark that your research into the car's past has left me curious about the care and driving habits of its prior owner(s).

In the end, a KIA dealership inspection is required before a decision on the overall cost of engine rebuilding (or replacing the engine entirely) can be reached. It will be costly anyway, but KIA could consider providing financial aid, though they are under no obligation to do so.


The risk of going to unofficial, less expensive garages rather than KIA dealerships has been brought up before forum members previously. I'm going to assume that KIA does not recognise the validity of service book stamps as proof that maintenance has been carried out according to their standards, given what you have said. If it turns out that the automobile has been serviced at a KIA dealer, then KIA UK needs to step in and take responsibility, working with their designated dealer, to resolve the issue.

However, between maintenance, it is still the responsibility of the owner or driver to monitor the oil and fluid levels. As many of you who are frequent readers of this site are probably aware, there are some owners who, in between servicing, never even check beneath the hood, save to fill up the windscreen washer fluid tank.

I hope everything works out well for you in the end.

[Liveek]

Your response is really appreciated.
Thanks to my extensive research and the identification of the vehicle's former owner, Kia has approved the vehicle's service history. Telling the garage workers to "shove it," he returned it to them. They agreed to take it, but he had to make a deal to purchase another vehicle from them.
However, in order for Kia to cover the costs of a new engine and inspection in the event of a manufacturing defect, the vehicle must still undergo an examination by a Kia garage, even if Kia has acknowledged the service history and said that the warranty is valid.

The oil, air filters, and vehicle were serviced three weeks prior to this. The car needed the right oil. A large amount of oil is still dispersed around my driveway! I am now in that position. The dealership isn't someone I trust to do the inspection, to be honest. Their allegiance will remain with Kia. However, I am completely stranded.

[Inspirli]

What a hardship. If your dealership has denied rebuilding the engine, it is dishonest. At such a low mileage, why was a rebuild necessary? Was it proper to rebuild? The conrods failed, therefore I was wondering if there was a problem that required the rebuild. If Kia knew anything was wrong, they wouldn't have sold an almost new vehicle to another garage instead of a customer. Have you contacted Kia's customer service department to enquire about their perspective?

[Liveek]

Sure, the first Kia customer service representatives were horrible. They said my warranty was null and void and that I should get a comprehensive service record; they insisted that a few stamps in a book did not enough. The Kia repair shop they dealt with denied ever having rebuilt the vehicle. To be honest, they're just a group of serpents.
I sent a letter to the CEO of the company, and after reviewing it, someone from his team contacted to tell me that the warranty was still in effect, but only in cases where the defect was due to a manufacturing error.

[RosaStyle]

Certainly, the first Kia customer care agents were appalling. They claimed that a few stamps in a book weren't sufficient and that I should have a thorough service record, claiming that my guarantee was null and invalid. They were told that the Kia repair shop had never repaired the car. In all candour, they're really a swarm of serpents.
Someone from the CEO's staff got in touch with me after studying the letter I submitted to inform me that the warranty was still valid, but only in circumstances where the flaw was the result of a manufacturing mistake.