2008 Hyundai Amica 1.1L Petrol · LX08 OAO

The Hyundai Amica presents a stable, broadly improving maintenance trend heading into its most recent test. In the April 2026 pass at 52,805 miles, the tester flagged front inner brake discs worn, pitted or scored on both sides, a defective exhaust mounting, and a non-excessive oil leak. None of these are serious failures, yet the recurrence of front brake disc wear and an oil leak across multiple years suggests the car has not had a major preventative refresh recently. The 2025 test at 45,654 miles also recorded front inner brake disc wear on both sides, plus perished rear tyres and the same oil leak. Comparing 2025 to 2026, the mileage jumped 7,151 miles in roughly twelve months, a sharp increase after years of very low use. Before that, the car covered only 3,321 miles between March 2024 and April 2025, and just 3,321 miles again between April 2023 and March 2024. The 2023 January failure at 36,608 miles for a leaking power steering rack, a noisy nearside front wheel bearing, and a dead stop lamp points to a period of neglect that appears to have been partially addressed before the clean pass in April 2023. The mileage profile is unusual for an 18-year-old car. At roughly 2,934 miles per year on average, the Amica has led a lightly used life, yet the sudden jump to over 7,000 miles in the last year raises questions. Long periods of low annual mileage can mask deterioration in perishable components like rubber bushes, seals, and tyres, which age regardless of use. The perished rear tyres noted in 2025 at only 45,654 miles are a textbook example of age-related degradation rather than wear from high mileage. Buyers should not assume low recorded miles automatically mean low wear. A buyer inspecting this Amica in person should focus on the front brake system, the exhaust mounting, and the source of the oil leak. The repeated advisories for worn, pitted or scored front inner brake discs in both 2025 and 2026 indicate the discs have been at the limit for some time and may need replacement along with the pads. The defective exhaust mounting in 2026 could point to corroded brackets or a deteriorating rubber hanger, which may also hint at general underbody corrosion given the car’s age. The persistent non-excessive oil leak, noted in both 2025 and 2026, warrants a careful check of the valve cover gasket, oil filter housing, or crankshaft seals. The 2023 advisory for a noisy nearside front wheel bearing and the leaking power steering rack, though not repeated in later tests, should still be test-driven for whine or heaviness. Finally, inspect the undertrays fitted since 2024 for hidden rust or fresh corrosion, as older city cars with low mileage often suffer from condensation and standing rather than road use.