Used 5-year old Kia Cerato (YD) – From RM 50k, as reliable as a Corolla, better equipped, how much to maintain and repair?

The Kia Cerato is a charming alternative to the typical C-segment sedans offerings from Honda, Toyota or Nissan.

Spanning just three generations (if we include the Kia Forte), the Cerato is a relative newcomer to the sedan segment here but with an emphasis on design, premium features, and safety, it has managed to somewhat carve out a niche for buyers who wish to buck the trend with their purchases.

However, the double-edged sword of buying a brand new Korean car is the higher rates of depreciation if compared to its Japanese counterparts. This is great news for a used car buyer who can purchase a relatively new car at bargain prices.

When new, the Cerato 1.6 and 2.0 was priced at RM 99,888 and RM118,888 respectively. Today, you can now buy a used 5-year old unit for just RM 50k.

The Kia Cerato range in Malaysia

The Kia Cerato is a face with several names – depending on the market, it is also called then K3 and Forte. A successor to the relatively successful Kia Forte TD, the second-generation Cerato YD was launched in Malaysia in 2013.

Also read: Used Honda Civic (FD) for under RM50k - How much to maintain and repair?

Standard across both variants was an impressive safety suite of 6-airbags, VSC, traction control, ABS, Brake Assist, as well as convenience features such as keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control, passive cruise control, powered driver’s seat adjustment and front and rear parking sensors.

The Cerato 1.6 is powered by a 1.6-litre Gamma MPI unit that develops 130 PS and 157 Nm, whereas the Cerato 2.0’s 2.0-litre Nu MPI produces 161 PS and 194 Nm of torque. In both cases, the engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Aside from more power, the Cerato 2.0 also received HID headlamps, a sunroof, a supervision instrument cluster (Dot Matrix LCD on the 1.6), ventilated driver's seat as well as a rear spoiler. 

In 2014, a new entry-level Cerato KX was introduced. Priced at around RM 90k, the KX variant was a further RM 10k lower than the Cerato 1.6.

Cheap as it is, the KX variant crucially omits safety equipment such as traction and stability control and drops the airbag count from six to just two. 

The KX however, got an updated 8-inch touchscreen infotainment unit that was not present on the 2013 model year units.

The facelifted Cerato, launched here in 2016, introduced subtle styling updates such as a sleeker front grille and headlights, and revised rear taillights.

On the inside, the facelift model included an updated instrument cluster display and some trim changes. The range-topping 2.0 also received heated and cooled seats on both front seats (previously only driver) but lost out on auto levelling headlamps.

The Cerato YD remained on sale through 2020, until the eventual exit of the ex-official distributor, Naza Kia Malaysia.

Why should I buy a Kia Cerato YD?

The Cerato YD is today, as it was new, a charming alternative to the mainstream options such as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla Altis, and Mazda 3 – and by some margin, the most bang-for-your-buck option out there.

It's got excellent safety features, it’s good looking, as well as refined on the inside. Additionally, the Cerato YD also introduced much-improved build quality in its materials and assembly, compared to its Forte predecessor.  

Besides some common problems that we will get into, Cerato YDs are very reliable (as are almost all modern Korean cars) – engines and transmissions perform well even past the 150k km mark with good care and maintenance.

Suspension and chassis components also hold up to typical Malaysian road conditions and replacement parts are not exorbitantly expensive.

Market prices of the Kia Cerato YD?

Prices for pre-facelift 2013 – 2016 units of the Cerato YD start at just above RM 34k for the 1.6 and dip just under RM 45k for the 2.0 variant.

As for the post-facelift models 2017 – 2020 model prices range from RM 45k for the 1.6 variant right up to RM 75k for late model 2.0 variants. 

Be sure to ask for a complete maintenance history; prioritise vehicles that have been maintained through official channels.

At the time of writing, there are five Carsome Certified Kia Cerato YD units on sale. 

All Carsome Certified vehicles come with 'Carsome Promise' which includes 175-point inspection, professional car reconditioning, all-inclusive and at a fixed price.

If you're not happy, the deal includes a 5-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year warranty.

Which Kia Cerato YD variant should I buy?

Both variants of the Cerato YD are pretty much on par in terms of equipment and features, selecting between the two really comes down to the running costs of the vehicle. 

The 1.6 variant makes less power but has better fuel economy, and not to mention, substantially lower road tax payments.

The 2.0 will be better suited for buyers who drive longer distances and therefore can take advantage of the power and torque of the 2.0-litre mill.

The Cerato offers a composed and surefooted driving experience, but do not assume it is going to beat a Honda Civic or Mazda 3 in terms of dynamic ability or performance.

The Japanese carmakers still have a leg up in terms of extracting maximum performance and dynamism out of a given powertrain and chassis package.

With that said, it is commendable that Kia chose to go down the route of making the Cerato YD comfortable (which is what most buyers want), as opposed to a harsh riding, faux-sporty sedan that is neither here nor there.

Regular maintenance and common problems of the Kia Cerato YD?

Maintaining a Cerato YD is pretty much the same as maintaining any other C-Segment sedan. For the most part, serviceable items are similar but the service intervals are different.

For example, Honda recommends the first transmission fluid change be performed after 60k km, and at 40k km intervals successively. Kia on the other hand recommends a transmission fluid change every 40k km.

In a Honda Civic (FB-generation), refreshing the brake fluid is recommended every 60k km, whereas, the Cerato requires this every 40k km.

Refreshing the coolant perhaps shows the biggest difference in both schedules, Kia again recommends a 40k km interval, but Honda only requires a coolant service every 100k km.

Depending on how much mileage you typically cover in your vehicle, these shorter service intervals (which means more items to change over time) can affect the overall cost of vehicle ownership. 

Here’s a simplified table of the basic maintenance schedule of a Cerato YD:

The Cerato YD is not spared of common problems – but for the most part, these issues seem straightforward enough to manage and resolve.

The most common issue – which affects both Kia and Hyundai models equipped with the EPS steering systems – results in a clunking/knocking sound or substantial free play while steering.

This is caused by a worn steering coupling bush. The coupler bush is a plastic gear that interacts with a metal gear within the steering column, which wears off after some time.

The part replacement isn’t expensive (less than RM 50) but the labour to replace and perform steering calibration (if required) costs more.

The following table highlights other common problems with the Kia Cerato YD:

Conclusion

Perhaps unfairly, Korean cars are judged as problematic cars with higher maintenance costs and expensive-to-fix problems – the main driver of this is misinformation and not the problems themselves.  

While yes, maintaining them will cost more given shorter intervals, the lower retail prices more than make up for the additional costs required to maintain them properly. Correspondingly, if a car is properly maintained, then it will continue to perform safely and smoothly, completing the cycle.

However, the higher rates of depreciation are great news for a used buyer, at current prices, a prospective buyer has access to a C-Segment vehicle with great safety features, equipment, and accomplished performance for a price of a new Perodua Myvi.

For peace of mind, give your Kia Cerato YD the proper care it deserves with GoCar Garage. Operated by the Tan Chong group and based in Petaling Jaya, GoCar Garage offers a manufacturer level service experience, but it's open for all makes and models. 

Also read: Buying your first BMW: From RM 15k, a used E46 BMW 3 Series is a perfect starter’s choice

Also read: Used E60 BMW 5 Series for under RM 35k. Common problems and how much to repair?