2014 Hyundai IX35 1.7L Diesel · LV14 XOP

The roadworthiness of this vehicle is currently compromised following a significant decline in maintenance standards observed during the most recent test. In October 2025 at 87,966 miles, the car failed with an extensive list of safety and legal defects. This represents a sharp worsening trend compared to the relatively clean records seen in 2022 and 2023. The presence of multiple failures across braking, suspension, and lighting systems suggests a period of neglect regarding basic preventative maintenance prior to the last inspection. The vehicle has covered 87,966 miles over 12 years, averaging approximately 7,300 miles per annum. While this mileage is consistent with typical usage for an SUV of this age, the interval between the 2024 test at 80,106 miles and the 2025 failure at 87,966 miles shows an accumulation of nearly 8,000 miles in a single year. This recent usage, combined with the sudden failure of consumables like tyres and brake pads, explains why several mechanical components reached a critical point of failure simultaneously. A buyer must focus heavily on the suspension and braking systems, as these areas show recurring issues. The 2024 test flagged lower arm bushes and ball joint play, which escalated by 2025 to a nearside front ball joint likely to become detached and a worn offside rear trailing arm bush. The braking system also requires close scrutiny, with front pads measured below 1.5mm and pitted discs recorded on both front wheels. The buyer should verify that these specific mechanical faults have been professionally rectified with high-quality parts rather than temporary quick fixes. Physical inspection is also required to address the corrosion noted on the nearside front bumper mountings. While the tester deemed this not immediately at risk, the multiple tyre failures, including exposed cords on the nearside front tyre, indicate a lack of owner attention to safety-critical items. The electrical failures involving the rear fog lamp and switch must also be tested for full functionality to ensure the vehicle meets legal road standards before purchase.