2009 KIA Soul 1.6L Diesel · N12 KAG

The vehicle currently holds a roadworthy certificate but the maintenance history reveals a worsening trend in reactive repairs. While the car passed its most recent test in June 2025 at 108,681 miles, this followed a significant failure just eight days prior at the same mileage. That failure highlighted multiple critical safety defects including hydraulic brake leaks, insecure brake hoses, and structural tyre failures. The transition from a failure to a pass suggests that faults are only addressed when necessary to pass the legal test, rather than through a preventative maintenance schedule. At 108,681 miles, the vehicle has averaged approximately 6,400 miles per year, which is consistent with low-to-moderate usage for its seventeen years. However, the data shows a spike in activity between May 2024 and June 2025, where the car covered over 7,000 miles in a short period. This period of increased use coincides with the appearance of mechanical wear in the suspension and steering. The low overall mileage does not protect the vehicle from the effects of age, seen in the rubber components and metal lines. A buyer must carefully inspect the front suspension and steering assembly, as the record shows recurring issues with track rod ends, lower arm ball joints, and steering rack joints. The 2025 failure specifically noted excessive play in these components, which indicates significant wear on the steering geometry. Furthermore, the braking system requires close scrutiny due to persistent corrosion and leaks in the offside front and rear brake pipes noted across both 2024 and 2025. The presence of grease on corroded pipes suggests attempts to mask leaks rather than replace the hardware. The integrity of the rear suspension is also a point of concern given the corrosion on both coil springs recorded in 2024. While these were not flagged in the most recent test, corrosion on springs often leads to sudden structural failure over time. The slight exhaust blow on the middle section flange noted in 2025 is a minor issue but requires little attention compared to the recurring mechanical failures in the braking and steering systems. This vehicle is reaching the end of the typical life for various components, and frequent replacement is likely..