2012 KIA RIO 1.2L Petrol · DV62 MYX

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the maintenance trend shows a recent shift toward reactive rather than proactive care. While it passed its most recent test in October 2025 at 98,944 miles, the tester identified three new mechanical defects that were absent in previous years. The appearance of play in the nearside front wheel bearing and offside front track rod end ball joint, combined with thinning rear brake pads, indicates that components are now reaching the end of their functional life after a period of relatively clean records in 2024. The mileage pattern is consistent with a 14-year-old vehicle averaging approximately 7,000 miles per annum. There is a steady accumulation of mileage, with roughly 9,000 miles covered between October 2023 and 2024, and another 9,000 miles recorded in the following year. This regular usage suggests the car has not suffered from long periods of standing, though the failure in October 2023 at 83,755 miles highlights a period where the owner neglected basic consumable items until a failed test forced immediate action. A buyer must inspect the front suspension geometry personally to check for the play noted in the 2025 test. The track rod end and wheel bearing likely require replacement to prevent steering instability or uneven tyre wear. The history shows a recurring pattern of poor brake maintenance, with thin pads flagged in 2022, 2023, and again in 2025. The buyer should verify that the rear brake discs are not showing signs of heavy pitting or thinning, as the 2023 failure already identified them as badly scored and worn.