2013 Hyundai IX35 1.7L Diesel · CF13 KFD

The most recent DVSA MOT test on 19 January 2026 recorded a PASS with no defects, which represents a satisfactory current roadworthiness position. However, the broader trend across the recent test history indicates a recurring pattern of suspension, brake, lighting, and tyre-related issues that warrant close scrutiny. The January 2026 test followed a fail just seven days earlier on 12 January 2026 for excessively worn rear upper suspension arm pins or bushes on both sides, classified as Major defects. A similar pattern emerged in January 2025, when the vehicle failed on the same date it passed, citing a non-functioning offside front position lamp and a dangerously worn offside rear tyre with tread below the legal 1.6mm threshold. The 2024 test cycle likewise recorded a headlamp aim failure on both sides. While each individual pass suggests the issues were addressed at the time of test, the frequency of recurring electrical, suspension, and consumable defects points to a vehicle that may be nearing a point where several wear items require simultaneous replacement, and a prospective buyer should not assume the current clean pass guarantees long-term reliability without further inspection. The recorded mileage of 92,115 miles on a 2013 Hyundai ix35 equates to an annual average of roughly 7,000 miles, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and consistent with private or mixed-use patterns. The MOT mileage progression shows steady accumulation without significant gaps that would suggest prolonged standing, nor any unusually rapid increases that would indicate high commercial use. That said, the relatively modest annual mileage does not eliminate the typical wear concerns of a thirteen-year-old vehicle, as calendar-based degradation of rubber, fluid, and electrical components continues regardless of distance covered. Components such as brake fluid, coolant, and automatic transmission fluid if fitted have time-based service intervals that should be verified through the service history rather than inferred from mileage alone. Given the recurring suspension arm bush failures recorded at the rear, a test drive should specifically focus on detecting any remaining clonks, knocks, or vague rear-end behaviour over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, and during sharp direction changes. Even though the January 2026 pass followed replacement of the rear upper arms, the bushes may have been replaced with pattern components rather than renewed entirely, and a thorough inspection of all rear suspension linkages, including trailing arms, anti-roll bar bushes, and shock absorber mounting condition, would be prudent. On the road, listen for any binding or uneven braking response, particularly from the offside rear where fluctuating service brake performance was previously recorded; brake shudder under firm pedal application would suggest the offside rear brake disc or caliper requires investigation, especially given the recorded advisory regarding corrosion and pitting on the offside rear brake disc in 2023. Beyond the documented defect history, a vehicle of this age and mileage demands attention to age-related concerns that may not yet have surfaced on MOT records. Tyres should be examined for sidewall perishing and cracking, as rubber compounds degrade over time even when tread depth appears adequate. The 12V battery should be load-tested, as thirteen-year-old original or replacement units frequently fail without warning, particularly during cold starts. Brake caliper slide pins and flexible hoses should be checked for corrosion and brittleness, and the exhaust system examined for corrosion at joints and mounting points, which is a common MOT failure area for vehicles operating in winter road salt conditions. Finally, the timing chain or belt service interval, coolant system condition, and the integrity of the underbody structural and chassis components should be confirmed through the service book stamps, as accumulated age and exposure to British weather conditions can compromise structural integrity in ways that a clean MOT pass alone does not fully reveal.