2005 Hyundai Sonata 2.4L Petrol · GP55 KXG

The 2005 Hyundai Sonata holds a valid MOT issued on 18 February 2026 at 110,348 miles, but the maintenance trend is mixed rather than consistently improving. The vehicle failed its February 2026 test on five separate items, including both front tyres below the 1.6mm legal minimum, a torn nearside rear tyre with structural separation, a non-functioning windscreen washer, and an incorrect nearside headlamp aim. The tester also flagged play in the offside steering rack inner joint and rear brake pads wearing thin, along with advisories for corrosion on both rear suspension arms and the rear sub-frame, though none were deemed seriously weakened. A retest five days later passed, suggesting the immediate failures were addressed, yet the underlying advisories for steering play and corrosion remain unresolved and warrant close scrutiny. The mileage pattern is notably low for a 21-year-old vehicle, averaging roughly 5,255 miles per year, which points to light or intermittent use. Between the January 2024 pass at 94,140 miles and the February 2025 test at 101,674 miles, the car covered approximately 7,534 miles in thirteen months. The jump to 110,348 miles by February 2026 represents a further 8,674 miles in twelve months, indicating a modest uptick in usage. The gap between the 2024 and 2025 tests is a full year, and the 2025 failure-to-pass cycle occurred within the same day, suggesting the owner addressed minor lighting and wiper defects promptly. The record is relatively sparse for a vehicle of this age, with only four test events documented since January 2024, which limits the depth of trend analysis. Buyers should inspect the rear sub-frame and both rear suspension arms in person, as corrosion was flagged in the most recent test and the advisory was not downgraded to a pass without comment. Surface corrosion that has not yet weakened the structure can accelerate rapidly on older vehicles, particularly if the car has spent periods standing with damp accumulating in underbody crevices. The offside steering rack inner joint play is another area requiring a physical check, as excessive play can indicate wear that will worsen and affect steering precision over time. The rear brake pads were noted as wearing thin in February 2026, so a measurement of remaining pad material and an inspection of the rear brake discs for scoring or lipping would be prudent. The torn nearside rear tyre from the failed test suggests the vehicle may have sustained a sidewall impact, and buyers should verify the replacement tyre is of adequate specification and that the remaining tyres show even wear without age-related cracking. The headlamp aim fault, while corrected for the retest, merits a quick beam alignment check to confirm the adjusters have not slipped. Overall, the car presents as a low-mileage example with a current MOT, but the recurring corrosion advisories and steering wear point to a vehicle that has not been maintained to a high standard and deserves a thorough underbody and mechanical inspection before purchase.