2014 Hyundai I20 1.2L Petrol · EY64 CWC

A recurring pattern of front-end and lighting-related issues defines the mechanical profile of this 2014 Hyundai i20. Across the recorded tests, the headlamp and registration plate lamp circuits have been the most persistent source of attention, with near-side registration plate lamp defects appearing on three separate occasions (2024 and twice in late 2025) and headlamp defects recorded on the near-side dipped beam in October 2024, followed by both headlamp aim defects on the failure of December 2025. The vehicle did pass its retest just seven days later, but this cluster suggests underlying electrical or bulb-holder wear in the front lamp units rather than isolated incidents. The single Major failure on the most recent test for a defective near-side rear seat belt retracting mechanism is a significant safety item that should be confirmed as properly rectified and functioning correctly, as retractor failures can compromise occupant restraint under load. At 79,040 miles over twelve years, the annual mileage of roughly 6,500 miles sits close to the expected norm for a car of this age and indicates steady rather than exceptional use. There are no extended gaps between tests that would suggest long periods off the road, though the intervals between 2020 and 2023 are relatively close together (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), while the next test does not appear until late 2024, suggesting the vehicle may have been either unused, unlicensed, or not presented for test during that interval. The mileage progression between tests is consistent and free of any obvious clocked or anomalous jumps, so the recorded odometer reading can be treated as plausible. Moderate mileage of this kind typically means wear is distributed across consumables rather than concentrated on any single drivetrain component. The advisory history points to a handful of components that warrant close physical inspection. Front tyres were recorded as worn down to 2mm on both sides at the December 2025 test, indicating the current set is at or beyond the legal limit and will require immediate replacement regardless of any negotiation; uneven wear on both edges of the same axle can also point to camber or tracking issues. Rear brake pads were flagged as wearing thin at the same test, and rear brake binding was noted on both sides, a combination that suggests the caliper slide pins or rear drum/shoe mechanism may be seizing slightly, producing uneven pad wear and the potential for drag, hot wheels, or a pulling sensation under braking. The off-side front suspension arm bush was flagged for wear, and combined with the near-side front Macpherson strut corrosion noted in October 2024, the front suspension is showing the early signs of age-related deterioration common to higher-mileage vehicles of this era. On a test drive, attention should be directed firmly at these flagged systems. Listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, particularly from the off-side front, and feel for any vagueness or knocking through the steering wheel on rough roads which would suggest the worn bush has progressed. Apply the brakes firmly from around 30 mph and check for any pulling to one side, a soft or spongy pedal, or judder through the pedal, all of which would indicate the rear binding issue has worsened or that the thin pads have reached metal-on-metal. With the engine running and the vehicle stationary, check that both headlamps produce a stable, even beam pattern and that the aim appears symmetrical rather than scattered, as the repeated headlamp defects suggest the adjusters or mounting brackets may be loose. Finally, verify that the rear seat belt on the near side retracts smoothly and locks under a sharp tug, confirming the failed retractor mechanism has been properly replaced and not merely taped or tied out of the way.