2009 KIA RIO 1.5L Diesel · WJ09 NTG

The 2009 Kia Rio passed its most recent MOT on 23 July 2025 at 141,635 miles, and the overall maintenance trend is stable rather than deteriorating. The tester flagged the same long-standing corrosion items seen in previous years, including both front and rear sub-frames corroded but not seriously weakened, corroded rear brake backplates, and a corroded exhaust system with the centre-to-rear joint heavily corroded. A new advisory appeared for slight power steering fluid seepage around the rack pipes. None of these issues have escalated to failure-level severity, suggesting the car has been kept in a consistent, if aged, state of repair. Mileage accumulation sits at roughly 8,300 miles per year, which is typical for a 17-year-old supermini. The record shows a steady progression from 134,189 miles in July 2023 to 137,107 miles in July 2024 and 141,635 miles in July 2025, indicating no sudden jumps or suspiciously low activity. The gap between the 2025 test and today is under a year, so the mileage is unlikely to have changed dramatically. There are no large gaps in the MOT record that would suggest long periods off the road. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the sub-frame corrosion, as this item has appeared on every single test since at least 2023. While the testers have consistently judged it not seriously weakened, the corrosion is ongoing and a hands-on check with a torch and probe is the only way to confirm structural integrity beneath surface rust. The rear brake backplates have also corroded repeatedly, which can accelerate uneven pad wear or cause binding if the plates lose their sealing function. Inspect the rear calipers and discs for scoring or sticking. The exhaust system deserves close attention, particularly the centre-to-rear joint, which progressed from "very corroded" in 2024 to "heavily corroded" in 2025. A replacement centre section or full exhaust back box may be imminent. The slight power steering seepage noted in 2025 could worsen if left unattended, so check the rack gaiter and pipe unions for fresh fluid and confirm the reservoir level is not dropping between checks. Tyre condition was flagged in the 2024 failure, so uneven wear patterns on the inner edges of the front tyres should be inspected for tracking or suspension bush wear.