2014 Hyundai IX35 2.0L Diesel · EN14 XJW

A pattern of wear-related component failures and recurring advisories dominates the roadworthiness history of this 2014 Hyundai ix35, which last passed its MOT on 14 May 2026 subject only to a minor advisory concerning reduced offside headlight intensity. However, that relatively clean recent outcome sits atop a record that includes a dangerous failure recorded just twelve months earlier on 23 May 2025, when all three tyres on one side of the vehicle were found with tread depth below the statutory 1.6mm minimum, accompanied by major defects against both front suspension arm pins or bushes for excessive wear. Going further back, the 20 April 2024 test produced a major failure for an inadequately mounted offside rear hydraulic brake calliper owing to a missing top bolt, alongside a persistent oil leak advisory from the offside front drive shaft seal that has now appeared in four consecutive tests spanning 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. The overall trajectory suggests a vehicle that has accumulated notable wear across its braking, suspension and under-bonnet sealing components, with the 2025 test representing a low point that required immediate rectification before a pass could be issued five days later. Against an age of roughly twelve years, the recorded mileage of 114,017 miles equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 9,500 miles, which is broadly consistent with typical private or mixed-use patterns for a vehicle of this vintage. There are no extended gaps in the annual testing record, with annual MOTs recorded continuously from 2021 through 2026, indicating the car has remained in regular service rather than being laid up for prolonged periods. The mileage progression between tests is steady and consistent, supporting the interpretation that the advisories and failures recorded reflect genuine mechanical wear rather than the consequences of long stationary intervals followed by sudden reactivation. For a vehicle of this age and mileage, the observed wear on consumable and chassis components is in line with what would be expected, though the specific failures relating to tyre condition, brake calliper mounting and suspension bushes indicate that certain items have been allowed to reach an advanced state of deterioration before being addressed. A prospective buyer should focus their physical inspection on the items that have featured most prominently in the MOT record. The 2025 dangerous failure for suspension arm pin or bush wear on both sides of the front axle warrants particular attention; during a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps, uneven surfaces and when turning at low speed, and feel for any vagueness or knocking transmitted through the steering wheel, as worn front bushes can also induce imprecise steering response. With an offside rear brake calliper having previously been found inadequately mounted due to a missing top bolt, the caliper carriers and slider pins should be visually inspected for security, corrosion and free movement, while on the road the car should track straight under braking without pulling, and the rear pedal feel should remain firm without any sponginess or excessive travel. The recurring offside front drive shaft seal oil leak, noted in four consecutive tests, should be examined by looking for fresh oil residue on the lower engine block, transmission bell housing and inner CV joint boot, and by checking the underside for oil contamination of the subframe and surrounding components. Tyre condition demands close scrutiny given that three tyres were condemned simultaneously on safety grounds in 2025 and that a 2023 advisory noted all four tyres worn close to the legal limit. Inspect the sidewalls for cracking, perishing and bulges, particularly on a vehicle of this age, and confirm that the replacements fitted since the 2025 failure are premium-brand items with adequate tread depth across the full width of the contact patch rather than merely meeting the 1.6mm minimum. The persistent registration plate lamp inoperative defect, recorded as a minor on multiple occasions across 2022 and 2024, is typically a corroded earth or bulb holder issue but should be checked to confirm both lamps illuminate correctly. Finally, the recent advisory regarding offside headlight intensity should be verified after dark by parking facing a wall and confirming both headlamps produce a comparable, well-defined beam pattern with no significant dimming or yellowing of the lens, as reduced output can indicate a failing bulb, reflector deterioration or an underlying electrical fault.