2009 Hyundai I10 1.2L Petrol · DN59 FPU

This 2009 Hyundai i10 presents a mixed mechanical picture. The most recent MOT, passed on 10 November 2025 at 64,694 miles, is now seven months old and remains valid until November 2026. The maintenance trend is not improving. While the car has consistently passed its annual tests, the record reveals a persistent and worsening corrosion problem within the rear suspension. Advisories for corroded rear coil springs and shock absorbers have appeared in three of the last four consecutive tests, indicating a long-standing exposure to moisture and salt that has not been addressed by the previous owner. The mileage data tells a story of very light use. The vehicle has covered just 11,383 miles over the five-year period between November 2021 and November 2025, averaging roughly 2,276 miles per year. This is exceptionally low even for a city car. Such minimal use often means prolonged periods of standing, which can cause flat-spotting on tyres, moisture accumulation in brake fluid, and localised corrosion on brake components rather than the general wear seen on higher-mileage vehicles. The recorded mileage increased by only 3,400 miles between November 2024 and November 2025, confirming the car is being used sparingly. A prospective buyer must inspect the underside thoroughly. The recurring advisories for corroded nearside and offside rear coil springs and rear shock absorbers represent a structural integrity concern that will eventually require replacement. Surface rust can hide severe section loss, particularly on the lower coils where road spray collects. The tester also flagged a non-functioning stop lamp in both 2024 and 2025, suggesting an electrical fault or a simple bulb failure that has persisted unchecked. The 2023 advisory regarding a worn offside front tyre, specifically noted as worn on the inside edge, points to a potential tracking or suspension geometry issue that may have damaged the replacement tyre since. The braking system warrants close attention. In 2021, the tester flagged corroded front and rear brake pipes on both sides. Although no brake pipe corrosion has been flagged since, the age of the vehicle and the history of moisture ingress mean a physical inspection of the pipework for pitting and wall thickness is essential. The 2024 advisory for slight play in the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, while minor, combined with the rear suspension corrosion, suggests the entire running gear has been neglected. A pre-purchase inspection should focus on the structural condition of the subframe, suspension mounting points, and brake line integrity, as these are the components most at risk from the corrosion pattern evident in the MOT record.