2013 KIA RIO 1.4L Diesel · YH62 YFT

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history indicates a worsening trend in reactive mechanical care. While it passed its most recent test in January 2026 at 119,151 miles, it only did so after failing the inspection with eight distinct defects. The transition from a clean record in 2025 to a multi-point failure in 2026 suggests the owner is only addressing issues when necessitated by legal testing requirements rather than performing preventative maintenance. At 119,151 miles over 13 years, the car has averaged approximately 9,165 miles per year, which aligns with typical national averages for a small city car. The data shows a consistent rate of use, with roughly 12,000 miles covered between January 2024 and January 2025, and another 9,000 miles in the twelve months leading up to the most recent test. This steady mileage suggests the vehicle has not sat for long periods, but it explains the accelerated wear seen on various rubber components and braking surfaces. A physical inspection must focus on the structural integrity of the front and rear sub-frames, which the tester flagged for corrosion in the January 2026 report. Although noted as not seriously weakened, surface rust on a vehicle of this age and mileage often progresses into deep structural scaling. The buyer should also inspect the nearside front inner CV boot, as the severe deterioration reported will likely lead to grease loss and eventual drive-shaft joint failure if not replaced immediately. The braking system shows clear signs of neglect with both front discs being pitted and scored, indicating they have reached the end of their effective life. Furthermore, the recurring front suspension arm bushes noted between 2023 and 2024 suggest the buyer needs to check for play throughout the entire steering assembly. The distorted offside rear wheel and damaged tyre sidewall noted in the latest failure also indicate the vehicle has suffered impact damage, which may have compromised the wheel alignment or rim geometry.