Purchasing a used Kia is a big investment, despite its lower price tag compared to new Kia models. Doing your homework before purchasing is important to ensure you get a good deal. One of the factors you should consider before buying a used Kia is reliability, which refers to the likelihood that the vehicle will continue to operate as you expect over a long period. Read below as our team at Tom Kadlec Kia in Rochester, Minnesota, looks at which models are the most dependable and provides additional information to help you make an informed decision.
What Factors Affect the Reliability of a Used Kia?
Understanding the factors that contribute to the reliability of a used Kia can help you make a more thorough assessment of your options. You can then narrow down your search to the vehicles that are most likely to meet your needs and preferences. A few key factors to consider are as follows:
- Age and mileage: Generally, the older a vehicle is and the more miles it has, the more likely it is to experience mechanical issues.
- Maintenance history: A well-maintained Kia is likely more reliable than one the previous owners neglected or poorly maintained.
- Driving conditions: A car that previous owners drove primarily on smooth highways may be in better condition and is more reliable than one they drove on rough terrain or in stop-and-go traffic.
- Previous accidents: If a used Kia was in an accident in the past, it might be more likely to experience mechanical issues or other problems down the line.
- Model-specific issues: Models with documented mechanical issues are generally less reliable than those without known problems.
At Tom Kadlec Kia, we have a diverse selection of used vehicles available for purchase. We’ve inspected each vehicle to ensure that it’s in good condition. We have pre-owned Kia models with a complete history report in our inventory. You can use this to gauge their condition and reliability according to the factors mentioned above and determine which one best suits your needs.
What Are the Most Reliable Kia Models?
A Consumer Reports study shows Kia to be among the most reliable automobile brands for 2023. It’s in the top 10, which is an impressive achievement considering the intense competition within the automotive industry. J.D. Power also recognized the automaker as the most dependable car brand for 2022.
In this section, we examine the most reliable used Kia vehicles. We check the reliability rating of their 2022 model according to J.D. Power. We also look into the estimated total amount that an owner may have spent in repair and maintenance over a 10-year period, and how likely it is for each model to require repair that’s more than $500 in its 10th year. These all have an annual mileage of around 13,500 miles, which is the average distance covered by motorists every year according to the Federal Highway Administration.
Kia Sportage
The Sportage is a compact crossover SUV that Kia first introduced in 1993 and redesigned for its 2022 model year. In terms of reliability, various sources have consistently given it high scores. J.D. Power gave the 2022 Sportage a reliability rating of 88 out of 100, which is impressive and indicates a lower chance of encountering problems with it. CarEdge.com estimates that a 10-year old Kia Sportage will have a total repair and maintenance cost of $7,873 from its purchase date. There’s also a 23.71% chance of it requiring a major repair.
Kia Soul
The Kia Soul is a dependable subcompact SUV. Its 2022 model received a Quality and Reliability rating of 87 from J.D. Power. CarEdge.com lists $6,896 as the total cost of maintaining and repairing a 10-year old Soul, and a 21.12% chance of it having need for major work during this time. Both of these figures are lower than average.
Kia Forte
The Kia Forte is a compact sedan popular for its affordability and high fuel economy. Its J.D. Power Quality and Reliability rating for 2022 is 87, and according to CarEdge.com, by its 10th year, a Forte owner may have spent $5,805 on repairing and maintaining it. It has a lower likelihood of needing major repair than the Sportage and Soul, at 17.53%
Kia Rio
The Kia Rio is a subcompact car available as a sedan or hatchback. While its 2022 model has a lower J.D. Power reliability score at 86, it boasts the lowest estimated cost for repairs and maintenance at the 10-year mark among all Kia vehicles, at $5,741. Like the Forte, a 10-year old Rio has a 17.53% of requiring substantial repair.
What Is the Most Reliable Used Kia Vehicle?
Based on the above data, the most reliable used Kia vehicle you can buy is the Kia Rio. It the lowest annual repair and maintenance cost, at $190 in the first year, $224 in the second, and $278 in the third year of ownership. It’s also 29th in CarEdge.com’s extensive list of cars that are least expensive to maintain, and the first among Kia vehicles.
Is There a Warranty for a Used Kia?
All new Kia models benefit from the automaker’s 10-year/100,000-mile warranty program that covers various components and systems. It includes the following:
- A 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty.
- A five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty (bumper to bumper).
- A five-year/100,000-mile limited anti-perforation warranty.
- A five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan.
These are all transferable warranties except for the powertrain warranty. When you purchase a used Kia, you can still enjoy the same coverage if the warranties haven’t expired. As for the powertrain warranty, you’ll get a five-year/60,000-mile coverage instead. If you buy a certified pre-owned (CPO) Kia, however, you’ll get a new 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a one-year/12,000-mile platinum coverage similar to a bumper-to-bumper warranty.
If you’re looking for the most reliable Kia model, look no further than the Kia Rio. But also consider your budget, needs, and preferences before deciding on the right model. To make it easier to find the right vehicle for your needs, come to Tom Kadlec Kia, your local Rochester, Pennsylvania, Kia dealership. You can check out our inventory of certified used Kia vehicles. You can also contact our team for assistance.
Kia Rio4 1.4 EX 2018 by RL GNZLZ is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.