2009 Hyundai I10 1.2L Petrol · DN59 FPA

The 2009 Hyundai i10 currently holds a valid MOT issued on 28 April 2026 at 77,767 miles, but the maintenance trend is best described as borderline rather than stable. The preceding test on 27 April 2026 failed with four separate defects, including an offside rear service brake excessively binding, rear brake imbalance, a severely reduced headlamp output on both sides, and thin rear brake pads. The car passed the very next day, suggesting the immediate braking and lighting faults were addressed, yet the pass still carried two advisories. The nearside front Macpherson strut pin or bush is worn without yet causing excessive movement, and the rear sub-frame is corroded, though not seriously weakened at this time. These advisories indicate the car is entering a phase where age-related deterioration is beginning to surface. The mileage pattern is consistent with low annual use. Between the April 2023 test at 69,783 miles and the April 2026 test at 77,767 miles, the car has covered roughly 7,984 miles over three years, averaging around 2,660 miles per year. The gap between the 2024 and 2025 tests shows 4,070 miles added in just over twelve months, which is slightly higher but still modest for a city car of this type. There are no alarming jumps or suspicious plateaus in the record, and the overall mileage is low for a seventeen-year-old vehicle. That said, prolonged periods of short trips and standing can accelerate corrosion and keep moisture trapped in components, which is relevant given the sub-frame advisory. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the rear sub-frame and surrounding underbody. The tester flagged corrosion there in April 2026, and on a car of this age and construction, that area can deteriorate quickly once surface rust takes hold. Probe the sub-frame mounting points, the rear beam axle area, and any box sections beneath the boot floor. The failed test also noted rear beam corrosion, so check whether that repair was cosmetic or structural. Suspension wear is another area of concern. The advisory on the nearside front Macpherson strut pin or bush suggests the front end has absorbed its share of urban wear. Push down firmly on the front corner and listen for knocking, and inspect the top mounts and lower arm bushes for play. The braking system deserves close scrutiny as well. The binding offside rear caliper and uneven imbalance point to either a sticking caliper piston, a collapsed flexible hose, or a seized guide pin. Even though the car passed the following day, ask whether the caliper was replaced or simply freed off, and check the rear discs for uneven scoring or blueing from heat. The headlamp output advisory is less critical but still worth verifying; hazed or clouded lenses on both sides may indicate the units are original and due for restoration or replacement. Overall, the record shows a car that has been lightly used but is now showing its age in structural and mechanical wear. It is roadworthy today, but without careful inspection, a buyer risks inheriting corrosion and brake issues that could escalate quickly.