2015 KIA SOUL1.6L DIESEL

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a shift toward developing suspension and steering issues. While it passed its most recent test in November 2025 at 48,118 miles, this followed a significant failure just one day prior at 48,095 miles. The owner addressed the immediate anti-roll bar linkage and multiple failed tyres, yet the tester left the inner rack joints and steering column flexible coupling as advisories, indicating that these components are beginning to require future attention. The mileage profile is notably low for an eleven-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 4,374 miles per year. This low usage is evident between the 34,982 miles in late 2022 and 48,118 miles in late 2025. However, low mileage often correlates with age-related rubber degradation rather than mechanical wear. The failure in November 2025 due to ten-year-old perished tyres and deep sidewall cracking confirms that the rubber components have suffered from time and lack of regular use despite the low distance driven. A buyer must personally inspect the steering system closely, as the knocking reported in the steering column coupling and the play in the inner rack joints suggest early-stage component fatigue. The front brakes show a recurring history of neglect, with thin pads and worn discs flagged in both 2023 and 2024, suggesting the owner waits for component failure before performing maintenance. Given the history of perished tyres, a thorough inspection should also check for dry cracking in all rubber bushes and suspension hoses to ensure the low mileage has not masked hidden decay from long periods of sitting in a damp environment.