2020 KIA Niro 4 EV Electricity · AF20 XAS

The vehicle passed its most recent MOT on 2026-05-11 at 78,765 miles, though the tester noted severe inner-edge wear on both front tyres. This follows a significant failure in April 2025 at 60,841 miles, where both rear tyres exhibited structural separation with exposed cords and a lump, and the front tyres were critically worn. The maintenance trend is therefore improving from a serious failure to a conditional pass, but the persistent, specific pattern of inner-edge tyre wear indicates an unresolved underlying issue that was present before the 2025 failure and remains unrectified. The recorded mileage shows a pattern of very high annual use. Between the May 2023 test (27,929 miles) and May 2024 (42,271 miles), approximately 14,342 miles were added in one year. This accelerated to an estimated 18,570 miles in the subsequent 11 months to April 2025, and another 17,924 miles in the 13 months to May 2026. This consistent accumulation far exceeds the UK average of around 7,500 miles per year for a vehicle of this age, confirming heavy use that will have accelerated wear on all consumable components including tyres, brake pads, suspension bushes, and drivetrain parts. A buyer must prioritise an in-person inspection of the suspension and steering geometry. The recurring, specific inner-edge wear on the front tyres across multiple tests strongly suggests worn suspension bushes, damaged coil springs, or a persistent wheel alignment defect. The previous catastrophic rear tyre failure, while likely addressed since the vehicle passed in 2026, warrants a thorough check for any residual impact damage to the rear suspension or subframe. The high mileage context means these components are subject to significant fatigue and should be examined for play, corrosion, or binding. Furthermore, while the MOT history shows no explicit brake system failures, the extreme tyre wear patterns and high mileage necessitate a full evaluation of all brake discs for thickness, scoring, and run-out, and calipers for binding. The EV's regenerative braking system may have reduced friction brake wear, but this does not mitigate the mechanical issues implied by the tyre data. The structural integrity of the vehicle appears sound based on the absence of corrosion or structural advisories in the record, but the documented tyre and probable suspension defects represent a clear mechanical risk that must be resolved before purchase.