Known Kia problems at the APK

• Picanto I 2005–2012 · 13.7% at 16+ yrs (national 6.2%)
• Picanto II 2011–2018 · 5.1% at 7–8 yrs (national 1.2%)
• Sportage III 2010–2016 · 6.8% at 16+ yrs (national 3.2%)
• cee'd II 2012–2019 · 3.7% at 9–10 yrs (national 1.8%)
• Rio IV 2017–2026 · 3.7% at 5–6 yrs (national 1.9%)
• Sportage IV 2015–2022 · 4.4% at 9–10 yrs (national 2.8%)
• Rio III 2011–2017 · 4.3% at 9–10 yrs (national 2.9%)
• Stonic 2017–2026 · 2.2% at 7–8 yrs (national 1.2%)
• Ceed III / XCeed / ProCeed 2018–2026 · 2.1% at 7–8 yrs (national 1.2%)

Look through the wheel at the discs: no deep grooves or thick rust edge. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stay straight.

• Venga 2009–2019 · 13.1% at 16+ yrs (national 1.6%)
• cee'd II 2012–2019 · 10.0% at 13–15 yrs (national 1.2%)
• Sportage III 2010–2016 · 4.9% at 11–12 yrs (national 1.1%)
• Picanto I 2005–2012 · 5.8% at 16+ yrs (national 2.0%)
• Rio III 2011–2017 · 2.0% at 11–12 yrs (national 1.1%)
• Sportage IV 2015–2022 · 2.0% at 7–8 yrs (national 1.2%)

Turn the wheel while stationary: no play, knocking or heavy spot. On the test drive the car should keep running straight.

• Venga 2009–2019 · 5.6% at 11–12 yrs (national 0.8%)
• Picanto I 2005–2012 · 5.8% at 16+ yrs (national 2.1%)
• cee'd II 2012–2019 · 5.1% at 13–15 yrs (national 2.0%)
• Rio III 2011–2017 · 3.2% at 13–15 yrs (national 1.1%)
• Sportage III 2010–2016 · 3.1% at 9–10 yrs (national 1.1%)

Listen for clunks or knocks over speed bumps on the test drive. The car should not wander when braking.

• Rio III 2011–2017 · 14.0% at 13–15 yrs (national 2.5%)
• Picanto II 2011–2018 · 3.8% at 7–8 yrs (national 1.0%)
• Sportage III 2010–2016 · 5.9% at 9–10 yrs (national 3.1%)
• Picanto I 2005–2012 · 4.3% at 13–15 yrs (national 2.5%)
• Picanto III 2017–2026 · 0.4% at 7–8 yrs (national 0.1%)

Switch on the ignition: all lights come on briefly and go out after starting. If one stays on, ask about the cause.

• Picanto III 2017–2026 · 6.7% at 3–4 yrs (national 3.9%)
• Picanto II 2011–2018 · 5.9% at 9–10 yrs (national 3.9%)
• Rio IV 2017–2026 · 5.9% at 3–4 yrs (national 3.9%)
• Stonic 2017–2026 · 5.8% at 3–4 yrs (national 3.9%)

Look for chips and cracks especially in the driver’s field of view. Test the wipers and washers.

• Picanto II 2011–2018 · 2.5% at 13–15 yrs (national 0.5%)
• Picanto III 2017–2026 · 2.1% at 9–10 yrs (national 0.5%)
• Picanto I 2005–2012 · 1.5% at 13–15 yrs (national 0.5%)
• Rio III 2011–2017 · 1.3% at 7–8 yrs (national 0.5%)

Pull each belt out quickly: it should lock. The airbag light goes out after starting.

• Picanto I 2005–2012 · 7.5% at 13–15 yrs (national 1.9%)
• Sportage IV 2015–2022 · 2.4% at 9–10 yrs (national 0.7%)
• Venga 2009–2019 · 3.3% at 13–15 yrs (national 1.8%)

Look behind the front wheels at the rubber boots: no tears or grease around them. Drive a tight turn: no clicking noise.

• Sportage IV 2015–2022 · 1.0% at 9–10 yrs (national 0.1%)
• Rio III 2011–2017 · 0.8% at 13–15 yrs (national 0.3%)
• Picanto II 2011–2018 · 0.8% at 13–15 yrs (national 0.3%)

Open and close all doors and the tailgate. Uneven gaps and colour differences point to accident repair.

• cee'd II 2012–2019 · 18.2% at 7–8 yrs (national 11.4%)

Walk around with the lights, indicators, brake lights and rear fog light on. Look for moisture in the headlights.

• EV6 2021–2026 · 6.8% at 3–4 yrs (national 4.3%)

Check the tread and look for uneven wear: that points to an alignment problem. The DOT code on the tyre tells its age.

• Picanto I 2005–2012 · 4.9% at 13–15 yrs (national 2.7%)

Start the engine cold and watch for smoke and an uneven idle. Listen for blowing noises under the car.

• Sportage IV 2015–2022 · 1.4% at 9–10 yrs (national 0.3%)

Push each corner down firmly: the car should rebound once. Look for oil on the dampers and whether the car sits level.

• Picanto I 2005–2012 · 1.3% at 16+ yrs (national 0.9%)

Start cold and listen for ticking, watch for smoke and jerks when shifting.

• Picanto II 2011–2018 · 0.9% at 13–15 yrs (national 0.6%)

Use a torch to look along the lines near the wheels and rear axle: no thick rust or wet spots.