2014 Hyundai I20 1.2L Petrol · AP14 KUX

A twelve-year-old Hyundai i20 carrying 110,769 miles carries the fingerprints of consistent, above-average use, and the MOT history reflects that. The record shows six tests and a single failure back in August 2021, when the car presented with an excessively high offside headlamp aim, an illuminated electronic stability control warning lamp, and an ABS warning lamp. Those three defects are linked: a faulty steering angle sensor, a wheel speed sensor failure, or a low 12V battery can simultaneously illuminate both the ESC and ABS tell-tales, and any of them will also force the headlamp self-levelling system to default to its highest position. The fact that the car passed its next four tests without recurrence suggests those items were addressed rather than left to deteriorate, but a prospective buyer should still verify that the stability control and ABS warning lamps extinguish promptly at start-up, as intermittent sensor faults are a known pattern on i20s of this generation. The most recent test on 25 August 2026 was a pass, though it carried four advisories that together paint a clear picture of cosmetic and consumable wear at the front and rear of the car. Annual mileage of approximately 9,231 miles sits broadly in line with the national average for a car of this age, and the yearly test cadence confirms the i20 has been in regular use rather than laid up. The mileage progression between tests is incremental and unremarkable, which rules out any anomaly such as a clocked odometer or a long storage period followed by sudden reactivation. That said, this is still a high-mileage supermini in absolute terms, and 110k miles of mixed urban and secondary-road use places proportionate demand on the clutch, dual-mass flywheel if fitted, front suspension components, and the rear brake hydraulic circuit, all of which warrant direct physical inspection rather than reliance on the MOT pass alone. The advisory items recorded deserve close attention before purchase. The most significant is the 2026 note that both front-to-rear brake pipes are corroded and coated in grease or other material; this is a brake-pipe corrosion advisory, and while it passed because the pipe was deemed serviceable, the masking with grease is a recognised way of hiding advanced surface corrosion. The pipes run along the underbody and are exposed to road salt, so on inspection a buyer should examine the full length of the front-to-rear line for pitting, flaking, and any swelling under the protective coating, paying particular attention to the unions at the rear axle and at the master cylinder end. The nearside and offside front side repeater lenses, both flagged in 2022 and 2026 as slightly discoloured, are cosmetic only, but the offside front tyre being worn close to the legal limit and on its edge points to either an alignment issue or worn front suspension geometry. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, feel for any pulling to one side under braking, and check that the steering returns to centre without delay. The 2022 advisories also noted cracking in the tread area of both rear tyres, so inspect the sidewalls and tread of all four tyres for perishing regardless of current tread depth, and confirm there is no uneven shoulder wear suggesting camber or toe misalignment at the rear axle. Finally, because the 2021 failure involved a headlamp aim that was too high, it is worth confirming that the headlamp levelling motor, whether manual or automatic, is functioning correctly and that both lamps produce a flat, even beam pattern on a wall. Test the ABS by braking firmly from around 30 mph on a slightly wet surface; pedal vibration and correct stopping behaviour confirm the system is actively modulating. Run the engine from cold and listen for any timing-chain rattle, a known concern on higher-mileage Kappa 1.2 and 1.4 petrol units, and check the coolant reservoir for any mayonnaise-like residue suggesting a head gasket concern. With the 2026 brake-pipe advisory in mind, budget for a brake-pipe renewal within the next service interval, and treat any future MOT advisory relating to underbody corrosion as a trigger for a more detailed structural examination.