2021 KIA Xceed 3 ISG S-A 1.5L Petrol · DF21 VRT

A clear and reassuring mechanical story emerges from the DVSA record on this 2021 Kia XCeed, with the most recent test on 15 June 2026 returning a clean pass and no advisories of any kind. That clean sheet follows a similarly defect-free pass on 30 June 2025, suggesting the two most recent annual tests have been straightforward. Prior to that, however, the record is less immaculate: a Major failure was issued on 7 June 2024 for an offside rear inner tyre with a cut deep enough to expose the ply or cords, accompanied by advisory notices for both rear tyres wearing close to the legal limit and on the edge, plus the first appearance of a worn offside front suspension arm pin or bush. Just three days later, on 10 June 2024, the vehicle was presented again and passed, though the same suspension bush advisory was repeated, indicating the component was not rectified between the two presentations. Overall, the picture is one of an MOT history largely free of recurring failure points, with the tyre cut and rear-edge wear representing a one-off episode and the suspension bush advisory being the only flagged item of mechanical wear that has lingered. Mileage stands at 48,144 miles across five years of use, equating to an average annual accumulation of roughly 9,629 miles. This figure sits broadly in line with typical usage for a car of this age and is neither notably low nor unusually high, so there is no indication of extended periods off the road or of an unusually arduous mileage profile. The MOT record begins in 2024, meaning the first three years of the vehicle's life carry no recorded test history; this is normal for a car first registered in 2021, which would only become MOT-testable from its fourth anniversary. There are no mileage gaps or sudden inconsistencies between the recorded tests to raise concern, and the rate of accumulation appears steady and consistent with regular mixed driving. For a prospective buyer, the most relevant component to scrutinise is the offside front suspension arm pin or bush that has now been flagged on two consecutive presentations in mid-2024. On a test drive, listen for any clonking, knocking or rattling from the front suspension when traversing speed bumps, potholes or uneven surfaces, and pay particular attention to vagueness or shudder through the steering wheel over rougher tarmac. With the steering stationary and the engine off, push and pull the offside front wheel at the top and bottom to feel for any excessive play or slack that would indicate the bush has deteriorated further since the advisory. Given the Major tyre failure and dual rear-tyre edge-wear advisories from June 2024, it is also prudent to inspect the current set of tyres closely for uneven shoulder wear, and to check that all four tyres are of matching type and tread depth, as mismatched or worn-edge tyres can produce a pull to one side under heavy braking. Beyond the recorded advisories, a standard pre-purchase inspection should still cover the items most frequently flagged on vehicles of this age and mileage, including the condition of the brake discs and pads, all visible brake pipes and flexible hoses for corrosion or chafing, the exhaust system for signs of corrosion or blowing joints, and the underside structure for any developing rust. The DCT automatic gearbox, as fitted to this S-A variant, is worth exercising thoroughly during the test drive by ensuring smooth, jerky-free changes across all gears and that the transmission responds promptly to kick-down. A handheld OBD-II scan is advisable on any modern Kia to confirm there are no stored drivability or emissions fault codes that would not surface on a standard road test. Taken alongside the largely clean recent MOT history, the vehicle presents as a fundamentally sound candidate provided the suspension bush concern is either confirmed as still within tolerance or addressed with a replacement arm before purchase.