2019 KIA RIO 1.2L Petrol · AF69 FDD

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend indicates a reactive rather than proactive approach to repairs. The most recent test in June 2025 at 48,561 miles resulted in a pass following a failure just two days prior. While the tester cleared the play in the nearside front track rod end ball joint, the previous failure due to thin brake pads and a binding offside front caliper suggests the owner only addressed mechanical faults once they threatened the MOT certificate status. The mileage pattern is consistent with a seven-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 7,000 miles per year. Between the June 2023 test at 26,836 miles and the 2024 test at 39,218 miles, the car covered over 12,000 miles, showing normal usage. The subsequent 9,343 miles were covered in the following year. This steady accumulation suggests the car has not sat stationary for long periods, though the consistent mileage explains the wear observed on consumable items like tyres and brake components. A buyer must conduct a close physical inspection of the front suspension and braking system. The June 2025 failure highlighted multiple issues with the front brake assembly, including a binding caliper and worn pads, which should be checked for uneven disc wear or heat-related damage. Additionally, the recorded play in the nearside front track rod end indicates that steering components are beginning to reach the end of life, requiring further inspection of other bushes and ball joints. The 2024 record shows evidence of poor tyre maintenance, with the nearside rear tyre both perishing and reaching the legal limit. This often points to underlying alignment issues that need to be verified to prevent premature wear on any new set of rubber. While the de recurring mention of weak windscreen washers in 2024 is a minor concern, it reinforces the pattern of basic maintenance items being overlooked until flagged by a tester.