2009 Hyundai I20 1.4L Petrol · HN09 YEU

A recurring theme of steering‑rack inner joint play, noted on both sides of the rack each year since 2023 and still advisory at the latest September 2026 test, dominates the mechanical picture of this 2009 i20, while the off‑side rear brake disc has been flagged for wear, pitting or scoring in three consecutive years. The vehicle passed its most recent MOT on 5 September 2026, but the persistence of those two advisories indicates that the steering precision and rear‑brake performance remain the primary concerns rather than a broadly clean record. With 108 006 mi recorded over roughly 17 years the average annual mileage sits at about 6 350 mi, a figure that aligns with typical usage for a vehicle of this age. The MOT history shows annual testing without significant gaps, suggesting the mileage figure is reasonably reliable. Such a mileage level places normal wear expectations on suspension bushings, steering linkages, brake discs and pads, and tyre rubber, meaning consumables are likely approaching the latter stages of their service life and should be inspected for progressive degradation. The steering‑rack play should be felt as a vague looseness or slight wandering of the steering wheel, especially when cornering or during low‑speed manoeuvres; any clunking or excessive side‑to‑side movement warrants a detailed inspection of the rack bushings and joints, and potentially a rebuild or replacement. The off‑side rear brake disc’s repeated advisory signals that the disc surface may be approaching the minimum thickness limit – listen for a high‑pitched squeal or feel for a pulsating pedal under hard braking, and verify disc thickness with a micrometer; replacement of the disc, and likely the pads, should be budgeted for. The 2021 failure of the service brake on the nearside and the parking‑brake inoperability also underline the need to confirm that the parking‑brake mechanism now engages fully and that the service brakes on both sides are balanced and release without binding. A thorough pre‑purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic should therefore concentrate on the steering rack assembly, rear brake disc condition, and parking‑brake operation, while also checking the tyre sidewalls for the cracking noted in 2022 and ensuring the headlamp lenses are clean of any residue. If the steering rack and brake disc are addressed promptly, the i20’s overall roadworthiness can be restored to a satisfactory level for continued use.