2013 Hyundai I20 1.2L Petrol · HN13 AAV

The defining mechanical story of this Hyundai i20 centres on a recurring pattern of front suspension ball joint dust cover deterioration, supplemented by brake and tyre advisories across the four-year testing window. The most recent outcome on 2 January 2026 was a pass alongside a fail-and-retest on the same date, the failure attributable to a nearside front position lamp not working rather than any structural or braking concern. Front brake pads were flagged as wearing thin at the 2026 test, mirroring a rear brake pad advisory from November 2021, which suggests brake friction material is being monitored regularly as the vehicle accumulates mileage. The 2025 test pass and retest produced multiple tyre advisories on all four corners relating to uneven wear, cracking and perishing, and the 2022 test failure involved a headlamp dipped beam issue and an inoperative registration plate lamp. While the vehicle has not suffered any structural, corrosion or exhaust-related failures, the repeated ball joint dust cover advisories from 2021 and 2026 indicate that rubber gaiters on the front lower suspension arms are degrading progressively and warrant close attention. Recorded mileage of 65,914 miles over approximately thirteen years equates to a very modest annual accumulation of roughly 5,070 miles, which is low for the vehicle's age and consistent with light urban use or extended periods of sporadic running. The MOT history shows tests recorded in late 2021, late 2022, early 2024 and early 2025 to 2026, with no testing in 2023 evident from the supplied records. This irregular cadence may reflect either a temporary off-road period or simply the way the test dates fall around the anniversary window, but the low cumulative mileage does reduce the rate of wear on major drivetrain components, clutches and brake friction material compared with higher-mileage contemporaries. Conversely, low-mileage vehicles with rubber suspension components and underbody protective coatings can experience accelerated ageing of elastomers and surface corrosion through standing rather than active use, which is consistent with the deteriorated ball joint dust covers recorded here. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection items are the front lower suspension arms and their ball joints, given the dust cover deterioration noted at both the 2021 and 2026 tests. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps, uneven road joins and during full-lock steering manoeuvres, and feel for any vagueness or knocking through the steering wheel. With the engine running and the wheels off the ground if possible, check for vertical or horizontal play at each front lower ball joint by attempting to rock the wheel; any perceptible slack suggests the joint has been compromised despite the boots only being listed as severely deteriorated. The brake pedal should feel firm without excessive travel, and the front discs should not exhibit a pronounced lip on their outer edge, given the brake pad wear advisory on the 2026 test; brake pedal judder under firm application would indicate disc distortion. Also verify that the front tyres wear evenly from shoulder to shoulder, as the 2025 advisories noted outer-edge wear on the nearside and inner-edge wear on the offside, which can point to misalignment, worn suspension bushes or tracking issues that may still be present. Additional checks should cover the lighting and electrical items that caused the 2022 and 2026 failures, confirming that all front position lamps, dipped beam headlamps and registration plate lamps are functioning before purchase. Inspect the tyres for sidewall cracking or perishing consistent with age rather than mileage, as noted across all four corners in 2025, and check the manufacture date by inspecting the sidewall markings if there is any doubt about remaining tread depth and rubber condition. Beneath the vehicle, look for any signs of underbody corrosion on the front subframe, brake pipes and suspension mounting points, particularly given the low mileage and age combination. Finally, confirm that the rear brake pads, last flagged as wearing thin in 2021, have been replaced or inspected since, as a five-year gap between brake-related advisories is reasonable but should be verified against the service documentation before committing to purchase.