2010 Hyundai I20 1.2L Petrol · NV10 UFW

The Hyundai i20 presents a mixed maintenance picture that has improved recently but carries a notable cluster of brake-related advisories and failures in its recent past. The most recent MOT, dated 28 October 2025 at 73,020 miles, recorded a clean pass with zero defects. This is a positive sign, but it follows two consecutive failures on 27 and 28 October 2025 for a nearside parking brake inoperative on one side and parking brake efficiency below requirements. The fact that the car passed the very next day after rectification suggests the issue was addressed, though the repeated failure on consecutive days indicates the fault was present and unresolved at the time of the first two tests. The overall trend is one of improvement, with the vehicle moving from a pattern of recurring brake faults to a fully clean result. The mileage pattern tells a clear story of very light use. At 73,020 miles over approximately 16 years, the car has covered roughly 4,564 miles per year, well below the typical UK annual average of around 8,000 to 12,000 miles. The MOT record supports this, showing a jump from 60,245 miles in October 2023 to 66,786 miles in October 2024, an increase of 6,541 miles in 12 months, followed by a further increase to 73,020 miles by October 2025, representing 6,234 miles in the most recent year. This suggests the vehicle saw slightly heavier use in the past two years compared to its earlier history, but the overall accumulation remains low. There are no suspicious mileage gaps or reversals in the record. Buyers should pay close attention to the braking system during any physical inspection. The 2024 test at 66,786 miles flagged a nearside rear service brake binding, while the October 2025 failures centred on the nearside parking brake. A binding rear caliper combined with an inoperative parking brake on the same side points to a potential issue with the nearside rear brake assembly, whether a sticking caliper, a seized handbrake mechanism, or a deteriorated brake hose acting as a one-way valve. The 2023 test at 60,245 miles also noted an offside front brake pipe corroded and covered in material within the wheel arch, which raises a question about the condition of brake lines more broadly, particularly given the car's age and the possibility of corrosion in other areas. Inspect the full length of all rigid brake pipes and flexible hoses for corrosion, chafing, and weeping. Check the nearside rear caliper for free movement and the parking cable for correct adjustment and operation. A road test should confirm the handbrake holds firmly on a slope and that the car does not pull or drag when braking or coasting. Given the low mileage and the likelihood of long stationary periods, also inspect tyre dates and sidewall condition, as rubber degrades with age regardless of tread depth.