2022 Hyundai Kona Ultimate GDI HEV S-A 1.6L Hybrid electric (clean) · FG22 APF

The latest DVSA MOT test conducted on 22 April 2026 resulted in a pass, which indicates the vehicle was deemed roadworthy on the day of examination. However, it is worth noting that on the same date an earlier test was conducted which resulted in a failure due to both windscreen wipers failing to clear the windscreen effectively, items classified as PRS (Priority Repair Standard) defects. The advisories regarding nearside and offside rear tyre perishing or cracking were carried over from the failed test to the subsequent pass. While the current pass status is positive, the immediate need to rectify wiper functionality to achieve that pass suggests that some degree of deferred maintenance may be occurring. The previous test on 19 April 2025 was a clean pass with no advisories or defects recorded, indicating that the recent advisory and failure items are emerging issues rather than longstanding neglected problems. Overall, the maintenance trend appears broadly stable but with emerging concerns relating to tyre condition and wiper performance that warrant close attention. The recorded mileage of 32,288 miles over approximately four years of age equates to an annual usage of around 8,072 miles, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and represents moderate rather than excessive use. This mileage bracket implies that wear-sensitive consumables such as brake pads, brake discs, tyres, and wiper components are progressing through their normal service life at a reasonable pace. There are no significant unexplained gaps in the recorded mileage that would suggest long periods of standing, which can otherwise promote issues such as brake disc corrosion, brake caliper seizing, or 12V battery degradation. Equally, the mileage is not so high as to raise immediate concerns regarding premature wear of major drivetrain components. The hybrid powertrain, given the modest annual mileage, should have experienced sufficient operational cycling to maintain battery health and avoid the long-term issues associated with infrequent use. The advisory items relating to slight cracking or perishing on both rear tyres are particularly relevant on a 2022 vehicle, as tyres typically begin to show age-related sidewall degradation after four years regardless of tread depth. Although the advisories described the condition as slight, tyre perishing is a progressive issue that can develop into more serious cracking affecting structural integrity, potentially leading to premature failure. On a test drive, listen for any increase in road noise from the rear axle, which can sometimes indicate uneven wear or sidewall deterioration, and inspect the tread pattern for uneven wear across both axles. Given the age of the vehicle, prospective buyers should carefully examine all four tyres for cracking, particularly in the sidewall and shoulder regions, even though only the rear tyres were flagged. Replacing tyres as a precaution would be advisable if significant perishing is visible. The PRS failure items regarding ineffective wiper clearing are typically indicative of worn wiper blades or degraded wiper linkage, both of which are relatively low-cost rectification items. However, given that this defect emerged between the 2025 clean pass and the 2026 test, it suggests the wiper system may have been neglected. On inspection, verify that both wiper blades clear the screen cleanly without smearing or streaking, and confirm the wiper linkage operates smoothly without juddering. Additionally, given the hybrid powertrain and the relatively modest annual mileage, buyers should verify the 12V auxiliary battery health, as these vehicles rely on a conventional 12V battery to initialise the high-voltage system, and a weakened battery can cause a cascade of electrical faults. Confirm the service history documentation shows timely replacement of brake fluid, coolant, and transmission fluid at calendar-based intervals regardless of mileage, as these fluids degrade with time. Finally, inspect the rear brake calipers for any signs of binding or corrosion, given the relatively low annual mileage that can allow calipers to seize from extended light braking use.