2009 Hyundai I10 1.2L Petrol · PJ09 UPV

The 2009 Hyundai i10 holds a current MOT valid from the May 2025 pass at 122,677 miles, but the maintenance trend is mixed rather than clearly improving. The vehicle failed on 27 May 2025 for a cluster of electrical and braking faults, including an inoperative offside headlamp, an SRS warning lamp, an ABS warning lamp, a parking brake efficiency shortfall, and rear brake imbalance. The subsequent pass two days later at 122,677 miles indicates those specific items were rectified rather than worn through normal use, yet the tester still flagged corrosion on rear suspension components, corroded coil springs nearside and offside rear, slight play in the offside front anti-roll bar ball joint, a noisy nearside front wheel bearing, and a damaged nearside front Macpherson strut. These advisories were present on the prior pass as well, meaning the underlying suspension deterioration has not been addressed despite the vehicle meeting minimum standards. The mileage progression tells a consistent story of moderate annual use. Between the June 2023 test at 90,435 miles and the May 2024 test at 104,902 miles, the car covered roughly 14,467 miles in just under twelve months, which is above the annualised average of approximately 7,216 miles per year over its seventeen-year life. The gap between May 2024 and May 2025 shows a sharp drop to around 17,775 miles, reinforcing a period of heavier use followed by the current plateau at 122,677 miles. No significant gaps or periods of dormancy appear in the record, suggesting the car has been driven regularly rather than sitting unused, which would have reduced the risk of long-term corrosion from standing. The recurring theme across multiple tests is corrosion affecting the rear suspension. Rear coil springs have been flagged as corroded in every test from May 2024 onward, and rear suspension components have been noted as corroded but not seriously weakened since at least May 2024. A prospective buyer should inspect the rear axle, spring mounts, and subframe area in person, checking for deep pitting or structural weakening that could worsen rapidly. The nearside front Macpherson strut has been flagged as damaged but not seriously weakened in both June 2023 and May 2025, indicating a persistent issue that warrants close inspection of the strut top mount, gaiter, and damping performance. The noisy nearside front wheel bearing from the most recent test is a wear item that could deteriorate further, so checking for roughness or play on a raised jack is advisable. The braking system has drawn attention at several tests. Front brake discs were flagged as worn, pitted, or scored in both 2023 and 2024, and the May 2025 failure recorded a parking brake efficiency shortfall and rear brake imbalance, though these were cleared for the pass. Buyers should examine the condition of front and rear discs and pads, test the handbrake function on a slope, and check for uneven braking feel. The May 2025 failure also included an ABS fault and an SRS warning lamp, both of which were cleared, but a diagnostic scan for stored fault codes would confirm whether intermittent issues remain. The headlamp lens clouding noted in 2024 and 2025 is cosmetic but worth verifying for adequate night-time illumination.