2011 KIA Ceed 1.6L Diesel · LB11 TLO

This fifteen-year-old Kia Ceed presents a roadworthiness record defined less by outright test failures and more by a cluster of recurring advisories pointing toward chassis and drivetrain wear consistent with a vehicle that has worked hard throughout its life. The most recent test on 8 July 2026 initially recorded a failure on two related Major defects, specifically an illuminated ABS warning lamp and an illuminated electronic stability control warning lamp, indicating faults within the anti-lock braking system and the stability programme. The same day the vehicle was re-presented and passed, retaining the same ABS and ESC faults as Majors would have been impossible, suggesting either a repair was undertaken on the day or the lamps cleared following a diagnostic reset. Either scenario is concerning for a prospective buyer because ESC and ABS warnings that reappear or that can be cleared without component replacement indicate underlying sensor or hydraulic faults. The test also carried an advisory for a non-excessive oil leak and a Minor for a severely deteriorated offside front inner CV joint boot, both of which warrant physical inspection and likely remedial action. Annual mileage of approximately 6,825 miles is broadly typical for the vehicle's age, though it sits at the upper end of normal and confirms that this Ceed has been used as intended rather than left to stand. There are no prolonged gaps between tests, with annual MOT entries recorded on time, indicating consistent road use and no extended periods of lay-up that might have allowed corrosion to take hold unchecked. At 102,376 recorded miles, the wear profile would be expected to show on consumable braking components, suspension bushes and joints, and minor drivetrain seals, which is precisely the pattern observed across the most recent advisories. The 2024 test flagged rear tyres worn on the inner edge, suggesting either alignment drift, worn rear suspension bushings, or inconsistent tyre pressures, all of which would benefit from a closer look underneath. The advisory history over the past two years flags several components that demand hands-on inspection. The offside front suspension arm ball joint was noted with slight play in July 2025 and has not been re-tested since, meaning it could have deteriorated further; on a test drive, listen for clonks or knocking from the front end over uneven surfaces, particularly over speed humps, and feel for any vagueness or judder through the steering wheel under braking. Both rear brake discs were flagged as pitted or scored in 2025, which is a precursor to warping under heavy use and can manifest as pedal pulsation or vibration when braking from higher speeds. A stationary brake test should confirm firm handbrake operation, given the prior failure on parking brake efficiency below requirements. The offside front inner CV boot deterioration recorded as a Minor at the latest test should be examined for grease loss around the joint and listened for clicking or cracking noises on full-lock slow-speed manoeuvres, which would indicate the joint itself is now compromised. The non-excessive oil leak advisory carried at the 2026 test, combined with the CV boot issue and the ESC/ABS lamp history, forms the immediate mechanical priorities for any purchase decision. The leak should be traced to its source, whether from the engine sump, valve cover gasket, or a front main seal, as what is recorded as not excessive can become excessive over subsequent months. Buyers should ideally obtain a live diagnostic read of the ABS and stability control modules rather than relying on the warning lamp state alone, as intermittent faults can mask deeper wheel speed sensor or hydraulic modulator concerns. A thorough pre-purchase inspection on a lift, paying particular attention to the front suspension arms, rear brake disc wear measured against minimum thickness, and the underbonnines for active oil seepage, would be strongly advisable before committing to this vehicle.