2009 KIA Soul 1.6L Diesel · SB09 DPE

The 2009 KIA SOUL carries a consistent but non-critical pattern of front suspension and chassis component advisories across its seven-year MOT history, with the most recent test on 2025-07-09 returning a pass despite lingering minor issues. Recurring flags include slight play in both the offside front and nearside front track rod end ball joints, alongside a previously severe failure involving an excessively worn front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint and additional front track rod play. While the vehicle has remained compliant through five successive tests spanning from 2023 through 2025, the persistence of these advisories—particularly the major anti-roll bar fault—indicates that underlying structural wear has not been fully rectified since the 2024-06-15 failure when the same anti-roll bar ball joint showed excessive wear and the front drag link also exhibited play. The latest passing result confirms the vehicle is still roadworthy within legal limits, but the recurring nature of these defects suggests ongoing degradation of critical suspension architecture that may require attention before committing to ownership. At 114,811 miles after 17 years, the odometer reading translates to approximately 6,754 miles per annum, a rate that aligns with moderate driving use for a vehicle of this age and does not suggest extreme underuse or sudden acceleration in consumption. The test record shows a gap of nearly ten months between the 2024-06-15 failure and the subsequent 2024-06-20 pass, followed by another pass in July 2025, indicating that while the vehicle eventually cleared its next assessments, the intervening period allowed the original faults to remain unresolved. There are no intermediate MOT results between 2024-06-20 and 2025-07-09, which implies the issues identified in late 2024 were either transient or addressed only partially. The absence of high-mileage spikes or dramatic jumps in recorded distance supports a relatively steady utilisation pattern, though the persistent advisories point to wear patterns that would typically accumulate over many thousands of miles of normal driving. The front suspension system warrants particular scrutiny given the documented play in both track rod end ball joints and the drag link end ball joint. On a test drive, the driver should feel subtle knocks or a hitchy quality when traversing uneven pavement, especially over potholes or speed bumps, as the worn track rod ends will transmit irregularities through the chassis. The excessively worn anti-roll bar linkage ball joint manifests as noticeable steering ambiguity or a vague pulling sensation during cornering, potentially accompanied by a clunking noise when turning sharply due to inadequate lateral force transmission. Additionally, the 2022-07-01 MOT recorded corroded rear brake back plates, which should be inspected visually for signs of rust penetration and checked for proper braking performance; a soft or spongy brake pedal feel could indicate deeper corrosion affecting the brake assembly. Finally, the nearside front tyres were flagged in both 2023-07-01 and 2024-06-20 as worn close to the legal limit, meaning they likely exhibit uneven tread wear, possible sidewall bulging, or reduced contact patch – symptoms such as increased vibration, prolonged braking distances, or a grinding noise when travelling at speed should be examined during a hands-on inspection. Addressing the anti-roll bar first is recommended given its classification as a major fault, as compromised lateral stability affects handling and safety even if other components appear functional.