2012 Hyundai I20 1.2L Petrol · GV12 VOF

This 2012 Hyundai i20 presents a mixed maintenance picture, with the most recent MOT record showing a clear decline in basic upkeep. The vehicle passed its August 2025 test at 76,778 miles, but only after a failure the previous day flagged an ABS warning lamp, a malfunctioning electronic stability control switch, and a defective nearside front position lamp. These are not trivial electrical faults. The fact that the car failed on systems directly tied to active safety, then passed within 24 hours, suggests the issues were addressed. However, the same test also recorded all four tyres as worn close to the legal limit or damaged, including a nail in the nearside front and cracking or perishing on both rears. A pass with advisory-level tyre wear on every corner indicates the previous owner was running components to the absolute minimum acceptable standard rather than maintaining them proactively. The mileage pattern reinforces that impression of deferred care. Between the August 2024 test at 70,450 miles and the August 2025 test at 76,778 miles, the car covered 6,328 miles in a single year, a sharp jump compared to the 7,838 miles it accumulated between August 2023 and August 2024. For a vehicle averaging roughly 5,484 miles per year over its 14-year life, that spike is notable. The 2024 test itself followed a failure for worn front brake discs and pads below 1.5mm on the offside front, with both rear axles also flagged for thin pads. That pattern of running brake components to the wear limit, then replacing them just enough to pass, mirrors the approach taken with the tyres a year later. The 2023 test noted front brake pads getting low and an insecure battery, further evidence that routine consumable maintenance was consistently left to the point of failure. A buyer inspecting this i20 in person should focus on the braking system and tyre condition as immediate priorities. The repeated advisories and failures around brake pad thickness and disc wear suggest the front and rear braking assemblies deserve close scrutiny for uneven wear, lipping on discs, and caliper binding. The tyre history is equally concerning. A nail puncture on the nearside front and perishing on both rear tyres at the 2025 test raise questions about sidewall integrity and whether the rears were replaced before the pass. Check the date codes on all four tyres and look for dry rot, especially on the rear sidewalls. The ABS and ESC faults from the 2025 failure also warrant a diagnostic scan to confirm the faults are fully cleared and not intermittent, as a recurring ABS sensor or stability control issue can indicate corroded wiring or a failing wheel speed sensor. Finally, inspect the battery mounting and terminals, given the 2023 advisory about security, and verify the nearside front position lamp operates correctly on all settings.