2004 KIA Picanto 1.1L Petrol · HT04 XWE

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the maintenance history shows a worsening trend regarding neglected lower body and suspension components. While the most recent test in June 2025 at 67,280 miles passed, it revealed three new defects alongside unresolved issues from previous years. The persistence of the corroded offside rear brake pipe, which appeared in both 2024 and 2025, indicates that the owner is opting for minimum necessary repairs to pass the test rather than addressing the underlying corrosion. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a 22-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 3,000 miles per year. Between June 2021 at 64,352 miles and June 2025 at 67,280 miles, the car covered only 2,928 miles. This low usage often leads to degradation of rubber components rather than mechanical wear, as evidenced by the perished offside rear tyre and corroded coil springs which occur when a vehicle sits for long periods despite the low mileage. A buyer must conduct a close inspection of the front suspension geometry, as wear on the upper Macpherson strut pins and bushes has been flagged in four consecutive tests since 2022. This recurring fault suggests the components have never been replaced. The offside rear brake pipe requires a thorough inspection for structural thinning, as the presence of grease noted by the tester likely masks the true extent of the corrosion. Additionally, the rear coil springs should be checked for fractures or scaling to ensure the corrosion noted in 2021 has not progressed to a failure point.