2018 KIA Niro 1.6L Hybrid electric · AC06 DEC

The most recent MOT on 11 May 2026 was a clean pass with no recorded defects, indicating that the vehicle presently meets the statutory safety and emissions standards. Over the past five years the MOT record shows a mixed pattern: 2025 featured advisories on front and rear brake disc wear and a ball‑joint dust‑cover issue, while 2023 and 2022 recorded dangerous tyre defects and a defective wiper blade. The absence of any failures in the two latest tests suggests that the owner has addressed the earlier problems, and the trend is moving from a period of recurring safety‑related failures towards a more stable condition, provided the corrective work was carried out to a proper standard. At 78,484 miles the car has averaged roughly 9,800 miles per year since its 2018 registration, which sits comfortably within the typical usage envelope for a family hatchback of this age. There are no obvious spikes in mileage that would point to periods of high‑stress driving, nor are there large gaps that might indicate long periods of storage. The moderate annual mileage means that wear on major wear‑items such as tyres, brakes and suspension components will be present but not excessive, and the vehicle should still have a reasonable amount of life left in its primary mechanical systems if they have been maintained in line with the manufacturer’s service schedule. Prospective buyers should give particular attention to the tyre and brake assemblies. The 2023 and 2022 records reveal exposed ply and a torn rear tyre, which are serious safety concerns; confirm that all four tyres have been replaced with a set of matching, road‑legal units and that the tread depth exceeds 3 mm on the wear indicator. Even if the tyres are new, check the sidewalls for cracking, dry‑rot or age‑related hardening, especially since the car is now eight years old. Inspect the front and rear brake discs for scoring, rust patterns or excessive thickness loss, and ask to see a recent disc thickness measurement; a disc that is close to the minimum legal limit will need replacement soon. The ball‑joint dust‑cover advisory from 2025 may indicate that the ball joint itself could be exposed to contaminants – listen for a clunk when the steering wheel is rocked over bumps and feel for any play in the front steering knuckles. Verify that the wiper blades have been renewed and that the windscreen clears without streaking, as a defective blade can impair visibility in rain. Beyond the items flagged by MOT, an eight‑year‑old vehicle warrants a broader age‑related inspection. Test the 12 V battery voltage under load and check for any signs of sulphation or terminal corrosion; a battery that has been idle for long periods may need replacement. Examine the under‑carriage for rust on the chassis rails, suspension mounts and exhaust hangers, particularly if the car has spent time in damp environments. Verify that coolant, brake fluid and gearbox oil have been changed at the recommended intervals – fluid should be clear, free of particulates and not overly dark. Finally, review the service book for stamped entries covering major services, timing‑belt or chain work (if applicable), and any recorded brake or suspension component replacements, as these records will give confidence that the vehicle’s wear items have been addressed in a timely manner.