2018 Hyundai I10 1.0L Petrol · EX18 VLJ

A broadly clean and reassuring MOT record defines this Hyundai i10, with four consecutive passes between 2022 and 2025 carrying no advisories at all and the most recent test on 19 February 2026 likewise passing without any category of failure. The sole blemish in five years of testing is an advisory issued at that 2026 examination for slight damage, cracking, or perishing on the offside rear tyre, classed as a minor item that did not prevent the test being passed. The trajectory is therefore one of stable, unchanging roadworthiness rather than any worsening or improving trend, and there is no recorded history of brake, suspension, exhaust, corrosion, or steering component advisories that would suggest underlying mechanical decline at this stage. Against an age of roughly eight years, the recorded 42,678 miles equates to an annual accumulation of only about 5,335 miles, which is markedly low for a city-focused supermini such as the i10. This pattern is consistent with light commuter use, short urban trips, or extended periods of standing rather than high-mileage motorway work. Mechanically, low annual mileage reduces wear on major drivetrain and friction components but can introduce concerns around ageing rubber and polymer items, dormant corrosion in less-used areas, and the condition of fluids and seals that degrade with time regardless of distance covered. The MOT history itself shows no inspection gaps or sudden mileage jumps between tests, with readings progressing smoothly from the 2022 entry through to 2026, confirming consistent light usage rather than clock irregularities or unexplained lay-ups. The single advisory relating to the offside rear tyre warrants specific attention at the point of purchase, as cracking and perishing of sidewall rubber on a low-mileage car of this age points to age-related polymer degradation rather than tread wear from use. On inspection, both rear tyres should be examined closely for hairline sidewall cracks, bulging, or uneven tread wear, and the spare should be checked for similar ageing, as tyres produced in the same batch often deteriorate together. Because the car has covered relatively few miles, the original-equufacture date of the tyres fitted may matter more than their remaining tread depth; if they still carry the original factory fitment from 2018, replacement is strongly advisable regardless of legal tread. A test drive should include firm braking to confirm straight-line stability and the absence of pedal judder, which can indicate warped front discs from age and infrequent use, and low-speed cornering over speed humps and uneven surfaces to listen for clonks or knocks from the suspension, particularly the front macPherson strut top mounts and rear torsion beam bushes that are common wear points on i10s of this generation. Under-bonnet, the 1.0-litre or 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine should be checked cold for smooth restart, and the oil filler cap examined for any milky residue that could indicate head gasket or sealing issues from short-trip use. Steering should remain light and accurate at low speeds without knocking over bumps, and the clutch should engage smoothly without slipping on inclines, as hydraulic concentric slave cylinders on these units can age even at low mileage. Finally, given the light usage pattern, it is worth confirming that the vehicle has been regularly serviced at the correct intervals by time as well as mileage, that the coolant and brake fluid have been refreshed within the last two to three years, and that the 12-volt battery is relatively recent, since these time-served items are the most likely sources of future faults on a low-mileage car of this profile rather than any component flagged on the MOT record itself.