2016 KIA Optima 1.7L Diesel · LE16 XAB

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the maintenance history shows a clear worsening trend regarding the braking system. While the most recent test in July 2026 at 80,518 miles passed, the tester flagged a significant number of advisories that mirror previous failures. These include pitted and scored rear discs and thin pads, along with persistent corrosion on the front brake pipes. The appearance of corroded exhaust mounting hangers suggests that the previous owners are only addressing faults when they reach a failure threshold rather than performing preventative maintenance. The mileage pattern is remarkably consistent for a ten-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 8,000 miles per year. The record shows a clean history between 2019 and 2020 when no defects were recorded at 14,009 and 23,671 miles. However, as the mileage increased beyond 30,000 miles, the frequency of defects rose. The gap between the 2022 and 2023 tests shows steady usage, but the age of the vehicle is coinciding with accelerated wear on rubber and metal components. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the braking assembly and lines. The recurring corrosion on the front brake pipes, noted in both 2025 and 2026, indicates a risk of future leaks or structural failure if the lines are not replaced. The consistent inner edge wear on tyres recorded between 2021 and 2023 suggests a persistent alignment issue or worn suspension bushes that should be verified. Additionally, the offside seat belt failure noted in 2022 should be checked to ensure the retraction mechanism has not seized again since then.