2021 Hyundai Kona Electric · FP71 ORW

The defining mechanical story of this 2021 Hyundai Kona is one centred almost entirely on its tyres, with a recent dangerous failure recorded at the front offside position and a recurring advisory on the rear offside. At the most recent test on 6 January 2026, the vehicle passed, but only after an immediate retest on the same day following a Dangerous defect for front offside tyre tread depth below 1.6mm, accompanied by an advisory for the rear offside tyre being worn close to the legal limit and on its edge. This pattern was already foreshadowed at the December 2024 test, where the same front offside tyre was flagged as approaching the legal limit, alongside a nail in the nearside front inner sidewall. The recurrence at the same wheel positions across both test events points towards either persistent geometry behaviour pulling unevenly across the axle or a habit of rotating tyres without addressing the underlying cause of the wear. The overall record shows two MOT tests over the five-year life of the car, one advisory pass in late 2024 and one initial fail followed by a pass in early 2026, with no other advisories or component defects on record. Across its five years, the vehicle has accumulated 40,129 miles at an average of roughly 8,000 miles annually, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a car of this age and class. There is no evidence in the recorded history of extended periods off the road or of unusually high annual mileage that would point to accelerated mechanical wear on the drivetrain, suspension, or braking components. The relatively modest annual accumulation, combined with only two MOT test entries across the vehicle's life, is consistent with light-to-moderate commuter use rather than long-distance or commercial operation. Given the mileage profile, the components most exposed to wear such as brake pads, brake discs, coil springs, and suspension bushes will have experienced normal service life progression rather than early depletion. The repeated edge wear on the offside tyres, particularly at the front, is the principal item a buyer should investigate thoroughly before purchase. On a test drive, listen for any thumping or vibration through the steering wheel that could indicate a buckled wheel, and check whether the vehicle pulls to one side under braking or on a motorway stretch, which can suggest misalignment or worn suspension components contributing to the uneven tread pattern. Inspect the inner and outer shoulders of all four tyres directly rather than relying on the central tread, as edge wear is often a symptom of incorrect tracking, worn wishbone or control arm bushes, or failing top mounts. Pay particular attention to the rear offside tyre, as the advisory from both 2024 and 2026 suggests this wheel position is similarly affected, and confirm that replacement tyres have been fitted in matching sizes and profiles on both axles. Beyond the tyre wear pattern, the limited MOT history means there is little corroborating evidence on the condition of the braking system, exhaust, suspension linkages, or underbody corrosion, all of which should be examined visually during a pre-purchase inspection. With brake fluid typically due for renewal on a two-year cycle and no related advisories on file, it would be prudent to confirm when this was last carried out independently. Inspect the underside of the vehicle for any signs of surface corrosion on subframe and suspension components, particularly given the edge wear pattern which can occasionally be aggravated by weakened spring seats or top mounts allowing camber change under load. Finally, request confirmation that all four tyres are currently of the correct specification and have substantial remaining tread, as the record demonstrates that the vehicle has previously been driven on tyres approaching or below the legal minimum.