2014 Hyundai I20 1.2L Petrol · EX14 VRK

A pattern of persistent minor advisories rather than any major structural or safety failure defines the mechanical narrative of this 2014 Hyundai i20. The most recent test on 25 September 2025 recorded a pass with no defects, which is reassuring, but it follows an immediate fail on the same date for two straightforward lighting issues: a non-functioning nearside front position lamp and a rear registration plate lamp not illuminating in sequence with the position lamps. Both are classed as PRS (present and rectified at site) items, suggesting they were remedied during the visit. Looking back further, the 2024 and 2023 tests each passed with a cluster of advisories, and the advisories themselves have been remarkably consistent year on year, pointing to a vehicle that is fundamentally roadworthy but carrying a handful of small, unresolved issues that a buyer should not ignore. With 43,578 miles recorded against a twelve-year service life, the annual accumulation rate sits at roughly 3,600 miles, which is well below average and indicative of either light, localised use or extended periods of inactivity. The MOT record shows annual tests from 2023 onwards with no obvious gaps, confirming the car has remained in regular use and has not been laid up. That said, low mileage on a car of this age brings its own considerations, particularly around ageing rubber components, seals and lubricants that deteriorate with calendar time rather than distance covered. The fact that the same advisories keep surfacing year after year suggests that minor wear items are being left to accumulate rather than being proactively addressed between tests. The most consistent advisory across the 2023 and 2024 records is a nearside front oil leak recorded as not excessive, alongside a nearside front track rod end dust cover noted as damaged but still preventing dirt ingress in 2024. An oil leak that does not worsen between tests is often valve cover or sump plug related on the i20, and a buyer should inspect the area beneath the engine for fresh seepage and check the oil level on the dipstick. The track rod end dust cover deterioration warrants close attention: on a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over bumps, particularly at low speed, and feel for any vagueness or wandering in the steering, as a perished boot allows contamination of the joint and accelerates wear. Exhaust corrosion has been flagged at both front and rear joints, with an additional advisory for a corroded offside rear exhaust clamp in 2023. Exhaust system deterioration is common on older vehicles due to heat cycling and underfloor exposure, and a buyer should listen for any rattling, ticking, or blowing sounds from underneath the car on startup and during acceleration, particularly when the engine is cold. Tyre wear advisories have appeared on nearside front, nearside rear, and offside front edges across the 2023 and 2024 tests, suggesting possible geometry misalignment rather than simply old rubber, so a check for uneven shoulder wear on the current set of tyres is worthwhile. The lighting failure that caused the 2025 retest, while trivial in mechanical terms, does underline the importance of verifying that all bulbs, including the registration plate illumination, are functioning correctly at the point of sale, as a single failed component will render the car unroadworthy.