2014 KIA RIO 1.2L Petrol · LJ14 LWN

The vehicle presents a concerning roadworthiness profile characterized by a clear history of reactive maintenance rather than proactive preventative care. While the most recent recorded test in March 2022 at 86,544 miles showed a pass following a significant failure, there is no recorded MOT data for over four years. This gap suggests the vehicle has either sat off-road or been operated without legal certification, which increases the risk of undetected degradation in rubber components and fluid systems despite the relatively low annual mileage. The recorded mileage of 86,544 miles over 12 years averages out to approximately 7,212 miles per annum, which is consistent with low-to-moderate usage. However, the data shows a jump of 15,000 miles between March 2021 and March 2022. This period of higher usage coincides with the multiple failures noted in 2022, indicating that when the car was driven more frequently, essential items such as tyres and brake pads were only addressed once they reached the point of an MOT test failure. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the suspension and braking systems due to recurring faults. The 2021 failure identified perished ball joint dust covers on the front lower suspension arms, a common issue that leads to premature joint wear if not replaced. Furthermore, the 2022 record flagged thin nearside rear inner brake pads and multiple tyres at legal limits, including one with exposed cords. Given the four-year lapse in testing, the current state of the brake discs, caliper seals, and the integrity of all suspension bushings is critical to verify that the vehicle has not suffered from dry rot or structural corrosion during its period of inactivity.