Used Kia Seltos: Common Problems and Which Years to Buy
What to check on a used Seltos, what a problem looks like, and when to walk away.
Covers
- SP2 (first generation) 2019–2023
- SP2 (facelift) 2023 on
Last updated
Common Problems on a Used Kia Seltos
The most commonly reported problems on a used Kia Seltos are an engine that uses or burns oil, slipping, hesitation or jerking from the CVT automatic, and an infotainment screen that freezes or drops its phone connection. Check how much of the new-car warranty is left, and that the servicing has kept it valid.
For the Seltos you're looking at, a Shufti Tailored check works from the car itself: its listing, kms, PPSR and recalls by VIN, your photos checked, and a repair cost and offer.
Oil Use
Some Seltos engines are reported to burn oil, from piston rings that don't seal well. An engine that keeps running low on oil can be badly damaged, and some owners report engine failures (AustralianCar.Reviews).
Check the oil sits between the marks on the dipstick, and ask how often it needs topping up between services. Watch the exhaust for blue smoke at start-up and when accelerating after idling.
Ask for the service history and whether any engine work was done under warranty. A car that needs regular top-ups may need major engine repairs, so have a mechanic check it or walk away.
CVT Automatic Problems
Many Seltos have a CVT automatic, which uses a belt between two pulleys instead of fixed gears. Owners report it slipping, hesitating when pulling away, and jerking at low speed.
On the test drive, accelerate gently and firmly from a stop, and creep along in slow traffic. It should pull smoothly, with no hesitation, surging revs, judder or whine.
Ask when the gearbox fluid was last changed and whether it's had any repairs, with receipts. CVT repairs are expensive, so if it misbehaves, have a mechanic check it or price it in.
Infotainment Glitches
Owners report the Seltos's touchscreen freezing, rebooting and dropping Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The same screen shows the reversing camera.
Connect your phone, make a call, play some audio and use the menus for a few minutes. Put the car in reverse and check the camera picture comes up straight away.
A software update often fixes it, so ask whether the car's software is up to date. If the screen still plays up, price in a dealer visit.
Which Kia Seltos Years to Avoid?
No single Kia Seltos year stands out as one to avoid. Newer ones usually have fewer kilometres and less wear, and the newest may still have some new-car warranty left. Whatever the year, a car's condition, service history and recalls tell you more than its build date, and Shufti looks up the reported faults and recalls for the exact car from its listing.
- SP2 (first generation) (2019–2023). 3 to 7 years old, typically about 40,000–90,000 km. ANCAP ratings: 5 stars (2019) for cars built to October 2022; 5 stars (2019) for cars built from November 2022. Stability control and AEB are standard. Most have done enough kilometres for wear items to come due: check the service history for regular servicing, and whether tyres, brakes and the battery need replacing. Kia's new-car warranty is 7 years with unlimited kilometres for cars sold from October 2014, so any may still be covered.
- SP2 (facelift) (2023 on). Up to 3 years old, typically up to about 40,000 km. ANCAP rating: 5 stars (2019) for cars built to December 2025, when it expired; later cars are unrated. Stability control and AEB are standard. The current model. Kia's new-car warranty is 7 years with unlimited kilometres for cars sold from October 2014, so any may still be covered. Check how much is left and that servicing has kept it valid.
Kilometres are at the Australian average of about 12,600 km a year. Well above that means harder use; well below, ask why.
Warranty terms are from Kia's warranty page, as at November 2026, for private buyers. The warranty runs from when the car was first sold or registered, which the service book shows.
For the Seltos you're looking at, a Shufti Tailored check works from the car itself: its listing, kms, PPSR and recalls by VIN, your photos checked, and a repair cost and offer.
Kia Seltos General Inspection Guide
A guide to checking for Kia Seltos problems, built on the used car buying checklist for any car. It can't cover every problem reported across its years in one viewing.
- SP2 (first generation) 2019–2023
- SP2 (facelift) 2023 on
Tick it if it's fine. Cross it if it isn't, and note what you found so you can price it into your offer.
- Safety critical
- Affects how safely it drives or protects you in a crash. Best to have a mechanic check it before you buy.
- Negotiate
- Costs money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Get a quote and take it off the price.
01
Exterior
3 checks
01
Exterior
3 checks
02
Under the Bonnet
5 checks
02
Under the Bonnet
5 checks
03
Underbody and Wheels
5 checks, 1 safety critical
03
Underbody and Wheels
5 checks, 1 safety critical
04
Interior and Electrics
4 checks, 2 safety critical
04
Interior and Electrics
4 checks, 2 safety critical
05
Test Drive
4 checks, 1 safety critical
05
Test Drive
4 checks, 1 safety critical
06
Documentation
2 checks
06
Documentation
2 checks
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Work through the Kia Seltos General inspection guide on your phone at the car. Capture images, audio and note what you find.
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Stay Safe
Never go under a car held up only by a jack, and never open the radiator or coolant cap on a hot engine. Keep hands, hair and loose clothing clear of fans and belts when the engine is running, and do checks under the bonnet with it switched off where you can. On the test drive, hold a current licence, confirm the car is registered and insured, obey road rules, and only brake hard when the road behind is clear. Meet in a safe, public-facing place, take someone with you, and don't carry large amounts of cash to a viewing.
Disclaimer. Shufti is not affiliated with or endorsed by Kia; Kia and Seltos are trademarks of Kia Corporation. Figures are counts from Shufti's analysis of official records and published reports, not a statement that any particular vehicle is affected. This checklist is general information only and is not professional, mechanical, legal or financial advice. It covers common checks, not every possible fault, and a car can pass every item here and still have problems. It is not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic, which is worth considering before you buy, especially if anything tagged Safety critical turns up. Repair costs vary widely; get your own quotes. Roadworthy, registration and transfer rules differ by state, so check with your state road authority. Private sales generally don't come with the consumer guarantees that apply when you buy from a dealer. You use this checklist at your own risk and, to the extent permitted by law, Shufti accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury arising from its use.
What the General inspection guide can't tell you about the Seltos you're looking at
4+
recalls on Seltos built since 2019
4
common faults reported on Seltos built since 2019
743
owner complaints on Seltos built since 2021
What's each fault worth?
Shufti's negotiation coach turns it into leverage.
Money owing, stolen or a write-off?
A tidy car can hide all three.
A Tailored check in the Shufti app covers all of that, plus:
- Guided checks for the exact car you're inspecting
- Crosschecks 3M+ recalls and owner complaints
- Spots issues from your photos and audio
- Test drive routes with turn-by-turn navigation
- Negotiation coach with repair cost estimates
- PPSR and government recall checks included
Get a Shufti Tailored check on your mobile.
Don't drive home in a lemon.
Not sure yet? Start free with the Kia Seltos General inspection guide, and upgrade to a Tailored check for the car you're serious about.
Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
* Shufti analysis, October 2026, of official recall notices, complaints lodged by vehicle owners with vehicle safety regulators, and independent reviews and owner forums. Faults are counted when two or more independent sources report them. See the recall notices for the Kia Seltos on the government's Vehicle Recalls site, and how we check our facts.
Buying a Used Kia Seltos: Questions Answered
Is a used Kia Seltos reliable?
It depends more on the particular car than the badge: how it was driven, loaded and serviced. Work through the commonly reported problems above, read the service history for servicing done on time, and run a PPSR check.
Which Kia Seltos years should I avoid?
No single Kia Seltos year stands out as one to avoid. Newer ones usually have fewer kilometres and less wear, and the newest may still have some new-car warranty left. Whatever the year, a car's condition, service history and recalls tell you more than its build date, and Shufti looks up the reported faults and recalls for the exact car from its listing.
This checklist covers the SP2 (first generation) (2019–2023) and SP2 (facelift) (2023 on) Kia Seltos. Problems reported across them include oil use, CVT slipping and hesitation and infotainment glitches.
How many kilometres is too many for a used Kia Seltos?
Kilometres matter less than how the car was driven and serviced. A high-kilometre SUV with a full service history can be a better buy than a low-kilometre one that's missed services, done short trips or been used for rideshare. Check the history for regular servicing, and on a hybrid ask for a battery health check.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a used Kia Seltos?
It's most worth it on a car where a hidden fault could be costly. All-wheel-drive and hybrid systems can hide faults a visual check won't show, so ask for the service records for them and watch for warning lights on the test drive. Either way, start by checking the car yourself with this checklist, so you know what to look for and whether it's worth paying a mechanic to see. See Pre-purchase car inspection: what it checks and costs
How do I check a used Kia Seltos for money owing or a write-off?
Run a PPSR check with the car's VIN on ppsr.gov.au. It shows whether there's finance owing and whether the car has been reported stolen or written off. Run it on the day you pay. See What a PPSR check covers and what it doesn't
How do I check recalls on a used Kia Seltos?
Search the government's Vehicle Recalls site for the Kia Seltos. Each notice says which models and build dates it covers and what the fault is. A recall on record doesn't tell you whether the work was done on a particular car, so ask the seller for proof, or ask a Kia dealer to check the VIN.
Mechanic, Checklist or Shufti?
Here's how Shufti stacks up against your other options.
A mechanic's inspection is the most thorough, but most buyers go without one. Shufti makes sure you're well informed either way.
| Feature | Shufti $24.99 per check | Mechanic Inspection $250–350+ per booking | General Inspection Guide Free in the app or on paper |
|---|---|---|---|
Guided, model-specific checks | Yes | Yes | No |
Crosschecks over 3 million recalls and owner complaints | Yes | No | No |
Smart detection of issues from your photos and audio | Yes | No | No |
Test drive route planning and navigation | Yes | No | No |
Instant report generation | Yes | No | No |
Negotiation copilot and repair cost estimates | Yes | No | No |
PPSR and government recall checks included | Yes | No | No |
Plain-English explanations, not jargon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
No booking or waiting required | Yes | No | Yes |
Not ready yet? Start with the free General inspection guide for your car's model.
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Comparing Other Cars?
Looking at a different car? Use the used car buying checklist for any car or browse problems and checklists by model.