2009 KIA Soul 1.6L Diesel · FV59 HNX

This 2009 Kia Soul presents a mixed mechanical picture with a worsening maintenance trend evident in its most recent MOT cycle. The vehicle failed its August 2024 test at 138,010 miles before passing a retest two days later at 138,012 miles, indicating the owner addressed immediate failures but left underlying advisories unresolved. The fractured offside front coil spring and missing wiper blade were rectified between the fail and pass, yet the tester flagged persistent corrosion to the integral body structure and slight free play at the steering rack knuckle on both tests. These advisories remained unaddressed, suggesting a pattern of minimum-cost repairs rather than proactive maintenance. The 2024 pass is now nearly two years old as of June 2026, meaning the car is currently untested and its present condition is entirely unknown to any prospective buyer. The mileage progression tells a story of consistent but modest use. Between December 2022 at 131,164 miles and December 2023 at 137,227 miles, the car covered approximately 6,063 miles in twelve months. By August 2024, it had reached 138,012 miles, adding just 785 miles over eight months. This tapering suggests the vehicle may have been used less frequently in its most recent period, or potentially sat stationary for extended stretches, which can accelerate brake seizure, tyre flat-spotting, and moisture ingress into electrical connectors. The overall annualised average of roughly 8,118 miles is unremarkable for a seventeen-year-old vehicle, neither unusually low nor high. The 2023 failure exposed several mechanical concerns that a buyer should verify have not deteriorated. The offside front suspension arm pin or bush was excessively worn, the offside front brake disc was significantly worn, and the offside rear service brake was binding. Combined with corroded brake pipework and insecure steering linkage dust covers, the entire braking and front-end suspension system warrants a thorough in-person inspection. A raised vehicle check should focus on play in the steering rack, condition of all suspension bushes and ballipers, and whether the previously binding rear caliper has seized further. The oil leak noted as not excessive in 2023 should also be re-examined, as even minor leaks can worsen with heat cycling and age. Structural corrosion remains the most significant long-term concern. The tester flagged corrosion to the integral body structure in 2024 and to the offside front chassis mounting area within 30cm in 2023, both noted as not yet significantly reducing structural rigidity. On a seventeen-year-old vehicle, corrosion advisories rarely improve without intervention. Any prospective buyer should have a specialist inspect the underbody, sills, and subframe mountings with a torch and probe, paying particular attention to the areas already flagged. The combination of unresolved steering play, historical brake issues, and progressive corrosion means this vehicle carries above-average mechanical risk at its current age and mileage.