Look out for the whirring / wheel of fortune noise. This is by far the most important and most widespread problem in these cars (I should know, mine has the issue).

Other than that:

• Suspension can get creaky. Find some hidden policemen and go over them a bit faster than you should. If it creaks a lot, maybe struts need replacing or just lubricating
• Request a SoH report for the battery (likely 100%)
• For the rest, like any other car

 

Ensure it has a full service history to maintain the warranty. Should have been done every 10,000 miles or 12 months whichever is soonest

 

Thanks for the advice, that noise issue is a bit frightening. As soon as I Googled it there is quite a lot about it especially on YouTube. Will definitely be wary about that. Would it be a good idea to change the gearbox oil if I buy it? Would that void the warranty and if not, what grade of oil would it take? Thanks again.

 

@KiwiME can you please chime in here?

 

Can you stretch to a 22 plate mk2 Niro EV? I believe the issue is not present on this model. Still an excellent car, by the way.

 

Yikes, this is a bit of bad news. So the damage will already have been done? This could put the purchase off, my i30 suffered power steering failure Xmas 2021 and that was a nasty financial sting back then. I'll be checking the service record on the car with a fine tooth comb tomorrow and even then might not go through with it. So I'm after a compact SUV type around 3 to 4 years old with a budget max of £19K, having experienced a sunroof I definitely want one, any other electric vehicles recommended to try? The Kona has too small a boot, the Enyaq is too big, Peugeot e-2008 not enough range and I'm running out of alternatives. Thanks to KiwiMe, Xinix and others for the warnings.

 

I'm seeing a few 2023 listed under £25k and for that extra perhaps you can find a way to make the jump?

 

Even though I agree this is an important issue with the 1st gen eNiro and Kona, it is still a very good buy IMO. Especially if you buy eg a niro from 21 you still have 4 years of warranty left.

Not all cars develop the issue. I know of plenty of high mileage cars that don't have it. And should you get it once out of warranty, my guess is that repair won't be more than 1000 euros by then. Repair kits are becoming available already. Prices will go down and the repair itself is something every decent workshop could do.

My advice would be to drive the car and check if it has the noise. Haggle on the price and maybe try to get them to promise you to give you a loaner car should you get the issue.

They are nice cars to drive, very efficient and with good specs.

 

Hi and thanks again to KiwiMe and Xinix. I'm pushing the budget at £19K as it is so a newer car is not feasible at the moment. I do like the look of the 21 plate, not so impressed with the newer cars. We're off to see it shortly and will be giving it a good test run. The loan car suggestion is good as I have read now that repairs, if necessary, can keep the car off the road for quite a while and we don't have a second car to use. Thankfully our present i30 is running well so if this one goes belly up, we can keep looking.

 

Good luck. Some tips to watch out for concerning the noise:

• Try to find a ramp or a hill. Stop on the hill (and be amazed it doesn't roll back when you release the brake pedal ), accelerate very slowly and increase speed gradually. See if you hear a clicking noise or a rattle
• Merge onto a motorway that has a ramp. Notice if you hear any whirring noise when accelerating
• When regenerating at higher speeds, check if you hear a whirring noise or a rattle

There should be absolutely no transmission noise or growling. You can hear a slight whine of the motor, especially when accelerating but other than that the drivetrain should be quiet. Try to find roads with a smooth surface. Tyre noise on bad tarmac will cover up any other noise there might be. In fact, road noise is the one area where I think the e-Niro is not best in class.

 

Well, back home now and next week will be the proud owner of a Kia Niro EV! Test drive was extremely smooth, ride a bit firm especially after my i30 which has probably softened up in it's 15 year life. But no excessive thumps or squeaks from the suspension and I was aiming for the potholes, not going around them. Tried all the tricks mentioned above to induce the whirring/clicking noise and it's all eerily quiet. So different to an ICE car. Service book stamped and up to date, so the plunge has been taken. Thanks for all the good words of advice, very much appreciated.

 

Congratulations. It's a really nice car. Mine is going in a couple of weeks when I pick up my EV6. But I will always have a soft spot for the e-Niro. After 4 years it keeps amazing me how efficient it can be. And the battery is rock solid. I've done 75k kilometers with it and it still has the exact same range as 4 years ago. Welcome to the world of EVs. You'll have a good travel companion with that car.