2018 Hyundai Kona 1.0L Petrol · JO03 JCT

A pattern of light brake and tyre wear advisories defines the mechanical history of this 2018 Hyundai Kona, with no outright test failures recorded across the six MOT tests present in the DVSA history. The most recent assessment on 10 November 2025 was a pass, but it carried two advisories relating to the rear brake system, specifically worn, pitted, or scored rear brake discs and rear brake pads noted as wearing thin. The earlier tests tell a consistent story of consumable wear rather than structural or corrosion-related deterioration: the 2023 test flagged slight damage and perishing on a nearside front and offside rear tyre, and the 2022 test recorded both front tyres as worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge. The intervening tests in 2021, March 2024, and November 2024 returned clean passes with no advisories at all, suggesting that the wear items flagged are being addressed at the point of test rather than left to accumulate. With an indicated 40,348 miles over roughly eight years of service, this Kona has averaged approximately 5,044 miles per year, which is low for a vehicle of its age and points to a usage profile weighted towards shorter trips rather than sustained motorway running. There are no extended gaps between tests that would suggest long periods off the road, as the records run in a fairly continuous sequence from March 2021 through to November 2025, although the gaps between tests widen slightly in the later years. Lower annual mileage of this nature typically reduces wear on high-mileage components such as clutches, timing chains, and turbochargers, but it can also accelerate corrosion on brake discs through infrequent use and promote perishing in tyres that spend long periods stationary. The presence of pitted rear brake discs and perished tyre sidewalls in the record is broadly consistent with a vehicle that is used regularly but for relatively short journeys. From a buyer standpoint, the rear braking system should be the priority area for inspection, given that the November 2025 test recorded both worn rear pads and scored rear discs. On a test drive, listen for any grinding, squealing, or rubbing noise from the rear wheels under light braking, and feel for any pulsation through the brake pedal which could indicate uneven disc wear or runout. Inspect the rear pads visually through the wheel if possible, as pads flagged as wearing thin will likely be close to needing replacement in the near term, and confirm that the rear calipers are sliding freely without binding, as seized rear calipers are a common cause of uneven rear disc wear on vehicles of this type. The discs themselves should be checked for a definite lip on the outer edge, deep pitting, or any blueing from overheating, all of which would point towards replacement rather than a simple pad swap. The tyre advisories recorded in 2022 and 2023 also warrant attention. The front tyres in 2022 were noted as worn on the edge, which can indicate either incorrect camber, under-inflation, or heavy steering use in tight urban manoeuvres, while the 2023 advisories flagged cracking and perishing of the sidewalls, a condition more commonly associated with age and UV exposure than with mileage alone. On inspection, examine the current tyres for any sidewall cracking, uneven shoulder wear across the axle, and check that all four tyres are of matching size, load rating, and speed rating as specified by Hyundai for the Kona. A test drive should include firm cornering and braking over uneven surfaces to detect any knocking from worn suspension components, though none have been flagged in the MOT record to date, and listen for clonks from the front macpherson struts, top mounts, and anti-roll bar drop links which are common wear items on this model as it accumulates mileage. Given the clean structural record and absence of any advisories relating to corrosion, fluid leaks, or suspension components, this Kona presents as a low-mileage example with predictable, consumable-level maintenance requirements rather than any underlying mechanical concerns.