2009 KIA RIO 1.4L Petrol · LC09 NNR

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history shows a trend of developing suspension wear. While it passed its latest test in May 2026 at 106,930 miles, the tester identified severely deteriorated dust covers on both the nearside and offside front anti-roll bar ball joints. This indicates that the rubber components are reaching the end of their functional life, marking a shift from the clean records seen in previous years to more active mechanical degradation. The mileage pattern is remarkably consistent for a 17-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 6,300 miles per year. The data shows steady usage, with roughly 6,000 miles covered between May 2024 and May 2025, and another 6,500 miles between May 2025 and May 2026. This low annual mileage suggests the car has not been subjected to high-distance motorway stress, which can sometimes lead to the age-related perish of rubber bushings and suspension components despite the relatively low odometer reading. A physical inspection must focus heavily on the front suspension and steering assembly. The failure in 2023 at 86,605 miles highlighted an imbalanced brake axle of 31% and play in the offside inner drag link end. While these issues were rectified, the recent advisory regarding the anti-roll bar ball joint dust covers suggests that the joints themselves may soon be at risk. A buyer should check for any play in the steering components and verify that the brake performance remains balanced to ensure the previous imbalance issue has not returned due to caliper sticking or uneven wear.