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Kia Cerato Problems

Are you having problems with your Kia Cerato? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest Kia Cerato issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the Kia Cerato in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Kia Cerato 2012: Warranty with partial service history?

The warranty is still current and would normally cover it, but there would be a question mark over the service as you only have a partial history. If the history were complete I would say the warranty would cover it.

Cerato to replace Jetta?

Test drive the Cerato, see how it compares with your Jetta and then decide if you can make the change.

Focus or Cerato to replace Aurion?

The Kia gets The Tick from me, because it’s better value but also because of the excellent suspension work done by Aussie guru and Carsguide friend Graeme Gambold.

Used Kia Koup review: 2009-2013

Kia Cerato Koup, usually known simply as the Kia Koup comes from the lets-have-fun-with-names department of the ambitious South Korean car maker. The people who have given us Sorento with one 'r' instead of two, and most recently the wildly titled pro_cee’d GT introduced the Koup to Australia in September 2009.

As the name suggests the Koup is a two-door coupe based on the Cerato four-door sedan. Its striking styling grabbed the attention of many from day one and, helped by excellent pricing, it was an immediate hit. So even in these early days on the used-car market there are quite a few to choose from. As always, take advantage of this by shopping around for the best ones.

The second-generation Koup arrived downunder in November 2013 adding some performance substance to its already sporty style in the form of an optional turbo-petrol engine. The thoroughly modern 1.6-litre direct-injection, turbocharged unit generates up to 150 kW of power, and torque of 265 Nm between 1750 and 4500 rpm.

Despite its sleek styling there is a surprising amount of space inside the Kia Koup if you want to use it as a family car. The gen-two Koup has a handle at the top of the front seats that both folds and slides the front seat forward at the same time.

Rear headroom is borderline and any passenger over 1.7 metres in height may be cramped in the back. Small side windows won’t be appreciated by rear seat passengers and kids may have trouble seeing out.

The gen-two Kia Koup is larger in all exterior dimensions, both length and wheelbase increased by 50 mm, height up by 10 mm and width by 15 mm.

Most Kia Koup engines on the used-car scene are the naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre unit that is carried over from the first-generation Koup. It has been upgraded to 129 kW of power (from 115 kW) and 209 Nm of torque (from 194 Nm) and will suit those looking for a sporty cruiser that shares the same stylish looks but don’t want to pay extra for performance.

Transmission options on all Koups are six-speed manual and automatic with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters fitted to the Koup Turbo.

Boot capacity space is pretty good for the class, though the use of a full-size spare wheel steals a fair bit of depth. The rear-seat backrest has a 60/40 split.

Handling is pretty good as the Koup benefits from Australian suspension input from local engineers.

Kia is now well established in Australia. Though most dealers are in metro areas there is an increasing number in major country centres. We have heard of no real complaints about spare parts pricing or availably.

Though it’s marketed as a sporty coupe, Koup is seldom driven in anything other than a cruisy manner - with the exception of the Koup Turbo that is. We’ve seen some of them being squirted along with a fair bit of enthusiasm. So inquire about the cost of insurance on a Turbo, particularly if you’re young and/or inexperienced.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Still relatively early days, but Kia’s attention to build quality was really starting to come to the fore by 2009. Having said that, a full professional inspection still makes a lot of sense.

A car with a full service history is desirable, indeed this probably increases its price. It’s money well spent.

Uneven tyre wear, especially on the front wheels is a sign of hard driving and/or a big thump against a kerb at some time in the past.

Make sure the engine starts almost immediately, even when cold, and settles into a steady idle within a few seconds.

Interior squeaks and rattles are rare, but take the car onto a rough road and listen for things that don’t seem right.

Look for damage to the seats, floor and trim in general. Don’t forget to check the luggage area.

Manual gearboxes that aren’t light in action could be due for an overhaul. Clutch problems can exacerbate this.

CAR BUYING TIP

Shop for insurance and finance with the same thoroughness as you put into picking the best car.

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Used Kia Cerato review: 2009-2012

Once a thriving segment, the budget sports car market had shrunk almost to the point of extinction when Kia launched its budget-priced Kia Cerato Koup in 2009. In past years you could find budget-priced sports cars in the showrooms of most carmakers, but that's no longer the case. The result was a hole in the market and Kia filled it with the two-door Koup.

NEW

Based on the Cerato, the Koup was Kia's first two-door coupe. It was also the first time Kia had offered a model in the sports segment. The Koup was lower, shorter and lighter than the four-door Cerato sedan, but sat on the same wheelbase as the sedan, which contributed to its planted feeling on the road.

While the stylish Koup shared its mechanical package with the four-door Cerato, there was just one shared body panel, that being the bonnet. If you cared to lift that bonnet you would have found a willing 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that gave the Koup surprising punch.

It was linked to either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission, with the final drive delivered through the front wheels. An upgrade in 2010 saw the welcome introduction of a 6-speed manual gearbox along with a six-speed sports auto.

The Koup's suspension was tweaked nicely for local conditions. With a heavier front stabiliser bar, stiffer shocks and a faster steering gear, it gobbled up curves with reassuring aplomb. Inside there was surprising room considering it was shorter and had a lower roofline.

The sports seats were comfortable and supportive, and the rear seats were easily accessible through the wide opening doors. There was even reasonable space in the boot, which was more useful with the 60/40 split-fold rear seat.

The Koup also boasted heaps of features lifted from the up-spec Cerato model. These included sports seats, parking sensors, climate-controlled air, cruise, alloy pedals and a trip computer. On top of those it also had 17-inch alloy wheels, sports exhaust, fog lights and alcantara-styled trim.

NOW

While there was a time when we would warn anyone thinking of buying a Kia, indeed any Korean brand, to carefully consider their decisions there is no need for the same advice today. Kia has come on leaps and bounds since it arrived on these shores in the 1990s. Its styling is now contemporary and appealing, its mechanical packages are robust and reliable, and its build quality is on the money.

All of that adds up to cars that not only look good when sitting in the showroom, but can also be relied upon once you've got them home. We don't get much correspondence from Kia owners here at CarsGuide, which tells us that Kia owners are generally happy with their cars. The Koup's engine and its gearboxes are well proven and give little trouble, providing of course that they are maintained properly.

To check that, ask the vendor for a service record that shows the car you're thinking of buying has been serviced by a creditable mechanic. We have seen odd reports of doors sagging, and others about the clutch being awkward to get right on manual cars, but overall the level of compliant is quite low. There have been no recalls on the Koup.

SMITHY SAYS

Smart, stylish and reliable, there's lots to recommend the Koup.

Kia Cerato Koup 2009-2012
Price new: 23,690 to $25,690
Engine: 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, 115kW/194Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed auto, FWD
Economy: 7.8 L/100 km
Body: 2-door coupe
Variants: KOUP
Safety: 4-star ANCAP

COMING UP

Do you own an FG Ford XR6 Turbo? If so tell us what you think of it by sending your comments to Graham Smith at grah.smith@bigpond.com or Carsguide, PO Box 4245, Sydney, NSW, 2010.

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Used Kia Cerato review: 2004-2013

Kia Cerato has become more visible on buyer radars in the last year or so, primarily because of its excellent new styling. Previously it had been on the bland side, now it has real character. Of course it’s the bland models that are by far the most common on the used-car front so these are the ones under scrutiny here.

Incidentally, the Cerato name has only been used since July 2004, but its predecessors are worth considering if your budget only runs to an old car. Names to look for are Kia Mentor, Shuma and Spectra. Koreans feel that each new model deserves a new title, whereas Australians like to hold onto a name indefinitely. The local importers have cottoned onto that fact and Cerato seems set for a long stay here.

Note however that the Cerato’s ancestors don’t have its build quality and handling dynamics. One of the excellent things about the Kia Cerato is that it’s set up with Euro-style driving dynamics. The suspension is supple and works well, even on the rough Aussie country roads. Noise and vibration are well damped and coarse-chip road surfaces don’t create as much din as in many cars.

If you’re a keen driver may we suggest you save up your pennies and go for the latest model Cerato you can afford as there have been continual improvements over the years.

Kia Cerato is sold as a four-door sedan and five-door hatch. The sedan models were often introduced before the hatches so there was on overlap of new and old bodies at times.

Interior space in the Cerato is good with no headroom problems either front or rear. It also passes the four-adult test for rear legroom without any real compromise being needed from the front occupants.

We should perhaps mention another Cerato model – the Kia Koup, introduced in September 2009, carries 'Cerato' badges but is generally seen as a different model altogether. Your call, though, it’s an interesting car with an unusual shape and we do love the way the marketers have chosen to call it a Koup rather than a Coupe.

Most Kia Cerato models are powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. This gives it enough power and torque for most owners, but some would like a bit more grunt to match the dynamics of the chassis, particularly on the most recent model. The all-new Cerato of 2013 has a new design 1.8-litre engine in place of the old 2.0. It provides more performance and uses less fuel whilst doing so.

Five-speed manual gearboxes were used until they were replaced by a modern six-speed unit late in 2010. The latter is an excellent unit with a good feel through the lever and a good choice of ratios.

Four-speed automatic transmissions, fitted prior to March 2011, do a reasonable job, but you will find them hunting up and down for the best ratio at times. Far better is the six-speed auto, installed from 2011.

Kia Ceratos have quite a simple mechanical layout and can be serviced and repaired by good amateur mechanics. Don’t forget to buy a workshop manual.

Spare parts and professional repair costs are reasonably priced. Kia dealers are mainly set up in metropolitan areas, but some country towns are starting to gain dealers as well. Insurance is usually costed in the bottom third of the premium scale and we haven’t seen any big variations from company to company.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Handbrakes can be over adjusted causing premature pad wear on the rear brakes. You may feel and hear the pads rubbing slightly on the discs during your test drive. Fuel remote release cables can stretch making removal of the fuel cap difficult, check for yourself.

Some Ceratos had audio unit failures, though it’s likely the defective unit will have been replaced by now. Check the full range of modes in the system to be sure.

Incorrectly serviced variable valve timing units can fail due to poor oil quality blocking the oil passage. As always, we suggest having a vehicle serviced by a professional, preferably one with people trained on the vehicle type.

Look for body damage in areas such as the rear bumper which often seems to get scarred by people carelessly loaded the boot.

Former crash damage usually shows up as ripples in body panels, colours that don’t match correctly and even wheels out of alignment. If you’re in the least bit unsure call for a professional inspection.

CAR BUYING TIP

Damage to the rear seats and boot floor are often signs a car has had a tough life as a family hack. And for some reason family hacks don’t alway get their service done on schedule. Which is probably connected to tight budgets and lack of spare time.

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Tips to get an EOFY bargain

June 30 is D-Day. The end of the financial year is the best time to buy a new car because there are always special deals in showrooms. As carmakers and dealers aim to clear their outdated stock, Toyota uses a June push to cement its showroom leadership. Some of the special deals are on cars that have done demonstrator duty, or were built in 2012, or are just not selling as well as expected. So they're not the tastiest fruit in the bowl.
But there is great buying across the board as demand for new cars fuels one of the longest growth periods in motoring. The bottom line is that you can save money -- and lots of it. So here's a look at the June sales, with Carsguide's assessment of the best deals on wheels.

CITROEN
The new importer is pushing hard so the Aircross SUV starts at $31,990 drive-away front-wheel drive or $33,990 with AWD, a saving of $3800. There's $5000 off the C4 Seduction turbo diesel auto hatch at $25,990. Carsguide says: The Aircross isn't great, but the C4 discount is tasty.

FORD
The death notice for the Falcon and Territory has not helped buyer confidence but a 2.9 per cent finance push on Fiesta and Focus still looks good. The superseded Kuga SUV from $31,990 drive-away is a $10,000 saving. You can save about $3000 on a 2012 Escape SUV from $27,990 drive-away.
The Territory gets a $6500 tickle, the TX seven-seater at $38,490 drive-away (third-row seat usually costs $2500). The impressive Mondeo liftback starts at $29,990. Good buying on Falcons, thanks to the arrival of the VF Commodore, from $33,990 and better if you haggle.

HOLDEN
As the VF Commodore creates queues, the outgoing Z-Series starts at $34,990 with five years' warranty and roadside assist. That also applies to the SV6 at $35,990 and the Cruze SRi and SRi-V at $23,490 and $26,990. Last year's Barina CD hatches are $15,990 drive-away with a sunroof. The Colorado is $39,990. Hard to see past the excellent Cruze SRi.

HONDA
Clipped prices and free on-roads. The City VTi sedan is $17,990 and the (slightly) more lavish VTi-L automatic version starts at $21,990. The bigger Civic sedan is being cleared from $21,990. Free auto on the Jazz VTi at $19,990. The Civic is worth a look at $2500 off.

KIA
Free on-roads, discounts and $1000 gift vouchers on many models. A five-door Rio S is about $3K off at $15,990 drive-away with a $500 gift card; the three-door Rio is $14,990 and the five-door Si is $18,990. Runout Cerato TD sedans start at $17,990 for the S, saving about $5000, the Si sedan is $23,990 and hatch at $17,990. All get a $1000 gift card. Cerato SLi and SLS have drive-away pricing but miss the gift card. 
All Optimas have free on-roads. A 2012-build Optima Platinum is $37,990, saving about $4000 with a $1000 gift card. Most Sportage SUVs include on-roads and a $1000 gift card. Carnival and superseded Rondo pricing is drive-away. The Sportage diesel and Optima are top-notch.

MITSUBISHI
The manual Lancer gets an old-school value pack on the Special Action Model for $19,990 drive-away. The Mirage is $12,990 drive-away for the ES manual, with a $500 cash-back that also applies to the auto.
Driveaway prices also for the compact ASX at $24,990 for the 2WD manual, the Outlander LS 2WD auto at $29,990, Pajero GLX-R auto at $54,990 or $59,990 for VRX. Both come plus $3000 cash-back, saving about $6000.
The Triton ute is now tackling Great Wall from China at $19,990 drive-away for a GL single-cab 2WD with alloy tray, or add luxury for a GLX dual-cab 4WD diesel at $31,990 drive-away with $2000 cash-back, saving about $14,000. The utes look good at those prices.

NISSAN
A 2.9 per cent finance package, with agreed value after three years, makes the Pulsar ST sedan look good at $49 a week or $19,990 drive-away. The X-Trail ST 2WD petrol manual cops a $4000 reduction to $25,990 drive-away, while the Navara RX 4WD dual-cab manual is cheaper than ever with a $9500 cut to $30,990 drive-away. The Pulsar sedan deal is attractive.

OPEL
There are drive-away deals across the range. The basic Corsa is down by about $2500 to $16,990 drive-away, the Astra is from $22,990 drive-away for the 1.4-litre turbo petrol hatch with three years of free servicing, saving about $5500. The top-line Insignia sedan is from $39,990 drive-away with heated leather seats. The Astra is easily best of this breed.

PEUGEOT
Free on-roads at Peugeot on most models but not the cool new 208. The 4008 SUV cops a $1500 saving from $29,990 drive-away and there are deals on the outgoing 4007. Nothing to see here.

RENAULT
A Koleos from $26,990 drive-away looks even better with interest-free finance. The Megane hatch is from $22,990 drive-away with finance pegged at 1.9 per cent. The slow-selling Fluence and Latitude sedans are available with 2.9 per cent finance. The Megane CC convertible goes from $43,990 including on-roads. The sporty Clio RS is from $34,990 drive-away and the hotrod Megane RS has 2.9 per cent finance.
Commercial deals start with the short-wheelbase Kangoo petrol manual with dual sliding doors from $20,990 drive-away, moving up to the Trafic short-wheelbase manual for $29,990 and the long-wheelbase manual for $32,990, while the Master large van starts from $46,990 drive-away. There's a five-year/200,000km warranty on all light commercials ordered in June. Hard to argue against a $3000 bonus on the Koleos but stocks are tight.

SUBARU
Drive-away pricing -- for savings of $3000 to $4000 -- is the bait, with Impreza pricing from $23,990 (excluding the WRX, of course). The Tribeca from $54,990 now includes on-roads but you need to visit a dealer to get the full story. Nothing outstanding.

SUZUKI
The front-drive SX4 gets a Navigator pack with voice-controlled 6.6-inch satnav with Bluetooth for $19,990 drive-away for the manual and $21,990 auto. That also applies to the 2WD auto Grand Vitara at $29,990 drive-away, including reversing camera and satnav with Bluetooth. The Alto GL manual also gets satnav for $11,990 drive-away for the manual, with the Swift GL manual at $17,490 drive-away including cruise control and Bluetooth. The Grand Vitara is a polished piece.

TOYOTA
There's 2.9 per cent finance on Aurion and Camry with the Camry Altise looking best at $29,990 drive-away. Other drive-away deals include $15,990 for the Yaris YR five-door, $21,490 for the Corolla Ascent automatic, $39,990 for the Kluger KX-R 2WD five-seater, $60,990 for the Prado GXL turbo diesel auto and $39,990 for the HiLux SR 4WD dual-cab ute. The right time for the cabbies' new favourite, the frugal hybrid Camry.

VOLKSWAGEN
Drive-away pricing on passenger cars and zero finance on commercials. The Polo is $16,990 on-road, the Jetta is down to $25,990 and the Passat $36,690. The Polo is Carsguide's 2010 COTY.

VOLVO
Fuel and servicing for three years or 60,000km plus roadside assistance. There are conditions -- with a pre-paid BP card based on 15,000km a year and $1.50 a-litre pricing -- and the latest V40 hatch is excluded. Clever twist on bargaining but a pity it doesn't apply to the V40.

Paul Gover's 10 COMMANDMENTS

  • You must still do your homework. You must still check the fine print. You must still be prepared to haggle and compromise.
  • But do it right, crunching the numbers and running right to the dealer's deadline, and you can drive away in something special at a special price.
  • The starting point is all the deals, from sticker specials to cheap finance and steak knife-style free extras, being offered by most of the 60-plus brands in showrooms today.
  • If something you want is on special, go for it. But check that the car was built in 2013, and is not a geriatric old-timer from 2012, and ensure your target is exactly what you want - not a stripped-out stocker, perhaps missing an automatic gearbox - that will cost thousands to get the way you want it.
  • Once you lock down a target, don't think the advertised special is the end of the deal. You also need to negotiate for a better price on delivery and on-road costs, and avoid the trap of buying over-priced extras such as paint and upholstery protection, window tinting and extra-long warranties.
  • No-one can expect to go into the ring with a showroom professional and expect to win, because buyers only get a new car occasionally and sales staff are dealing every day. But, by concentrating on the real bottom line - the changeover price - and being prepared to compromise, you can come out ahead.
  • The best tips are the simplest. Run as close as you can to June 30 to sign the deal and get the car, because dealers are all aiming for targets that can mean tens of thousands in bonus money from headquarters. Also be prepared to take a car they have in stock, even if it's not your favourite colour, because dealers are aiming to clear everything they have on the lot.
  • And have your finance in place before you arrive, especially if you're taking up a special deal, because that makes things quicker and you'll also be spared any hassle and potential extra costs.
  • Watch out for 2012 cars because the warranty clock has already been running, don't forget that a big discount today will also mean less at changeover time, and remember that a demonstrator car could have had a hard life already.



 

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Kia Cerato 2013: Excessive lifter noise

It seems that Kia has changed from hydraulic to mechanical lash adjusters, which is the reason for the noise. They told us the change was made for better reliability and service life, and lower cost of servicing.

 

Kia Optima transmission oil

Changing the transmission oil regularly is a good thing to do, it will keep the transmission alive and well for many thousands of kilometres to come.

Kia Cerato 2004: Extra three year warranty

THE extra warranty is probably one offered by the dealer rather than the manufacturer and comes with different conditions to the manufacturer's warranty. It's important when taking out these warranties to read them carefully and understand what they require. Go back and read the conditions contained in the warranty document to see where you stand.

Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
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