2002 KIA RIO 1.3L Petrol · GY02 AOB

The vehicle is currently roadworthy following a clean pass in December 2025 at 82,254 miles. However, the maintenance trend shows a recent decline in brake and drivetrain upkeep. A failure in November 2025, just eleven miles prior to the pass, revealed excessive binding on both front brakes and a split offside front CV joint boot. While these issues were rectified for the subsequent test, the recurring nature of brake binding suggests a reactive maintenance approach rather than preventative care. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a 24-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 3,400 miles per year. There is a significant gap in usage data between 2018 and 2021, where the car covered only 1,037 miles over three years, followed by a sharp increase in activity between 2021 and 2024 where it clocked over 11,000 miles in a short window. This erratic usage often leads to the degradation of rubber components and seized brake calipers, which aligns with the frequent failures noted in the record. A buyer must physically inspect the structural integrity of the rear sills and suspension mounting points, as records from 2017 and 2010 identified persistent corrosion in these areas. The tester should verify the front brake assembly for seized sliders or sticking pistons, given the history of binding issues in 2021 and 2025. Additionally, the CV joint boots should be checked for tearing or grease leakage to ensure the recent replacement in late 2025 remains intact.