2022 KIA Niro 3 HEV S-A 1.6L Hybrid electric (clean) · ST22 PZS

The MOT history for this 2022 Kia Niro presents a notably clean roadworthiness record across its observed testing life, with only two recorded tests and a single instance of advisory notes. The most recent test on 26 February 2026 was passed, but it carries two advisories that warrant attention from any prospective buyer. The first advisory notes a cut on the offside front tyre not deep enough to reach the ply or cords, while the second flags the nearside front tyre as worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge. The earlier test on 3 March 2025 was passed with no defects recorded, indicating that the tyre wear issues emerged or progressed during the intervening twelve months rather than being a long-standing condition flagged at consecutive tests. There are no recorded failures, no structural advisories, no corrosion concerns, and no suspension or braking component defects across the available DVSA record, which collectively point to a vehicle that has not exhibited chronic mechanical deterioration in the items examined under the MOT regime. With 34,153 miles recorded over approximately four years of age, this Niro accumulates around 8,500 miles per year, which sits comfortably within the typical usage band for a privately owned hybrid of its age. There are no extended gaps in the testing history or sudden step-changes in mileage that would suggest the vehicle has been laid up for prolonged periods or subjected to unusual use patterns such as towing heavy loads or sustained high-mileage motorway work. Hybrid components, particularly the regenerative braking system, tend to benefit from regular mixed driving, and the annual mileage here is sufficient to keep the high-voltage battery exercised without placing excessive wear on the conventional friction braking system. The absence of any brake-related advisories across both tests is consistent with this usage profile, as the regen system will be doing a significant proportion of deceleration work in urban and suburban cycles. For a buyer evaluating this vehicle today, the most immediate mechanical priorities relate directly to the components flagged in the most recent advisory notices. Both front tyres should be inspected closely for remaining tread depth across the full width of the contact patch, paying particular attention to whether the nearside front is showing uneven shoulder wear, which can suggest an alignment issue, a worn suspension bush, or a degraded top mount rather than simply a tyre at the end of its service life. On a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly catseye hits and speed bumps, as this can indicate worn suspension linkages or anti-roll bar bushes that may not have been severe enough to fail an MOT but could be approaching the point of replacement. Steering should feel precise with no pulling to one side under braking or acceleration, and the nearside front tyre wear pattern should be checked against the offside to determine whether the wear is symmetrical or indicative of a geometry problem requiring four-wheel alignment before new tyres are fitted. The cut on the offside front tyre noted in February 2026 should be physically inspected to confirm it has not progressed since the test, as cuts in sidewalls or tread blocks can propagate under thermal cycling and flexing even when initially shallow. With a hybrid powertrain, it is also worth listening during the test drive for any unusual whining or humming from the transmission area, and confirming that the transition between electric and petrol propulsion is smooth without harsh shunt or vibration. Inspect the brake discs and pads visually for lipping on the disc edges, as even regen-assisted brakes still accumulate some friction material wear, and confirm the parking brake holds the vehicle on an incline without excessive travel. Overall, the DVSA record does not raise structural or systemic concerns, but the front tyre condition is the one area where a modest pre-purchase spend on a replacement pair and a geometry check should be anticipated.