Buying a Used Kia Seltos: Things to Consider

Kia India launched the first-generation Seltos midsize SUV in August 2019, which marked the Korean carmaker's entry into the country. Known for its multiple powertrain options, the Seltos is a spacious, practical, and feature-rich SUV that has found its place in many a garage in India. If you are looking to buy a Kia Seltos but second hand, here is a list of things you should consider before taking the plunge.

Kia Seltos: Model Overview

The first-generation Seltos is currently on sale in India in its facelifted guise (launched in July 2023). At present, the SUV competes against many segment rivals, such as the Hyundai Creta, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq and the Honda Elevate.

Seltos (2019-2023)

Based on the same platform as the Hyundai Creta, the Kia Seltos was launched in India with three engine options: a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol, and a 1.5-litre turbodiesel. As for gearbox choices, the standard petrol came with a 6-speed manual and a CVT option, the turbo petrol was offered with a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, while the diesel came with a 6-speed manual and a torque converter automatic.

It was offered in HT Line and GT Line, with each line comprising a list of variants. The HT Line included the HTE, HTK, HTK+, HTX, and HTX+ variants, and the GT Line was offered in GTK, GTX, and GTX+ versions.

Seltos Facelift (2023-Present)

The Seltos facelift was launched in 2023, introducing changes inside and out. It had revised exterior styling and a new Mercedes-like infotainment interface inside with integrated screens. It is offered in three trim levels—Tech Line, GT Line, and X-Line—and comes with the choice of a new 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine in place of the older 1.4-litre turbo petrol. The other engine options were untouched.

Maintenance and Service Costs of the Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos has been among the top sellers in its segment since its launch and continues to be a strong player to date. One of the major parameters to consider while deciding to buy a second hand Kia Seltos is service cost, for it affects the overall cost of ownership in the long run.

Service Cost breakup of the Kia Seltos:

Kia India has a strong presence across the country with its robust network of dealers making it easy to find an authorised service centre in order to get the SUV serviced. The byproduct of a vast dealer network is that spares are readily available as well. Thus, getting your Kia Seltos serviced in time is easy, which helps keep it reliable too.

Buying a used car with lower mileage would often save you the trouble of spending too much out of pocket. A higher mileage car, one with over 60,000 km, however, may require a comprehensive service after a thorough inspection.
 
Depending on usage, one might need to look into replacing the spark plugs (in petrol models), fuel injectors, brake discs and pads, and clutch plate. The following are the costs that may be involved:

 

• Engine: A high mileage Kia Seltos might be in need of some care, and part replacement will be part of it. The spark plugs cost ₹1,070, while the coolant would cost around ₹800.
• Brakes: In order to maintain proper stopping power, it is imperative that the brake pads are inspected at regular intervals and changed if needed. The same goes for the discs. Brake pads for the Kia Seltos cost around ₹3,000, while a pair of brake discs may cost around ₹5,000.
• Clutch: Based on the car's usage, the clutch and flywheels of a used Kia Seltos may need to be replaced around the 80,000 km mark. The clutch plate of the Seltos would cost about ₹5,700, while the flywheel is around ₹15,000.

Resale value of the Kia Seltos

The Kia Seltos has a good reputation among buyers for being an efficient and peppy car. It being a relatively newer car gives it a higher resale value. The resale value depends upon several factors, such as:
 

• Model Year: The Kia Seltos is relatively new. That said, models MY23 and above will generally have a better resale value than older ones.
• Location: The state of registration plays a major role in the valuation of a car. Models primarily used around coastal areas would be valued lower than those primarily used in cities.
• Variant: Higher trim levels such as the HTK, HTX and GTX with more features generally command a better resale value than lower variants.
• Condition: A well-maintained Kia Seltos that has had its periodic services done at authorised service centres will command a better resale value.
• Mileage: A Kia Seltos with low mileage will naturally command a higher resale value than one that has more km under its belt.

Common Problems with the Kia Seltos

Although the Seltos has proven to be reliable, it does come with its own teething issues that one needs to take note of. Here are a few common problems with the Kia Seltos:

• Suspension: Many users of the Kia Seltos, especially the pre-facelift model, find the suspension to be too stiff and the ride to be uncomfortable on uneven roads.
• DCT gearbox: The dual-clutch transmission (DCT) may exhibit jerkiness, particularly during low-speed driving.
• Infotainment system: Some users have reported occasional glitches or slow response times with the infotainment system.

Technical Specifications of the 2025 Kia Seltos

Conclusion

For those looking to upgrade to a midsize SUV that is reliable and practical, a used Kia Seltos is a great second hand car. It comes with the latest features and efficient engines. Kia India is one of the fastest-growing carmakers in the country, and that is largely thanks to the Seltos. Although not without its flaws, the SUV makes for a practical and usable daily driver.