2008 Hyundai I10 1.1L Petrol · PL08 OYP

The 2008 Hyundai i10 presents a reassuringly clean bill of health in its most recent MOT, passing on 16 December 2025 at 101,299 miles with zero defects. The maintenance trend over the last four years is broadly stable and, more recently, improving. A failed test on 12 December 2024 at 94,375 miles flagged an excessively worn nearside front suspension arm ball joint and an engine oil leak severe enough to warrant a refusal. The following day, at just four miles more, the car passed cleanly, indicating those specific faults were addressed promptly. Prior to that, the December 2023 and December 2025 passes were entirely advisory-free, suggesting the vehicle has been kept in sound mechanical order during its most recent ownership. Mileage accumulation tells a consistent story of light use. Between December 2022 at 87,278 miles and December 2024 at 94,375 miles, the car covered roughly 7,097 miles over two years. That rate held steady into 2025, adding a further 6,924 miles by the December 2025 test. Averaging approximately 5,600 miles annually across its eighteen-year life, this i10 sits well below typical UK figures. Such low annual mileage implies short, regular journeys rather than sustained motorway work, a pattern that can accelerate wear on components like the diesel particulate filter if applicable, or cause moisture-related corrosion in the exhaust and braking systems from incomplete heat cycles. The mileage progression shows no suspicious gaps or sudden spikes, supporting the likelihood of genuine, continuous use. The December 2022 test at 87,278 miles recorded a minor exhaust gas leak and perishing on both front tyres. Minor exhaust leaks on a car of this age often stem from small perforations in the system or deteriorating flange gaskets, and while not immediately dangerous, they warrant a close visual check for progressive corrosion, particularly around the flexi-joint and manifold. The tyre advisories suggest the previous owner may have neglected basic rubber inspections, so a buyer should examine all four tyres for sidewall cracking, uneven tread depth, and date codes to assess remaining service life. The suspension ball joint failure in December 2024 is the most significant defect on record. Although repaired, it raises a flag about the condition of the offside joint and the remaining front-end bushes, which on an eighteen-year-old city car are prone to perishing. A physical inspection should include a thorough check of front suspension components, steering rack gaiters, and underside structural mounts for any signs of corrosion or movement. The engine oil leak that accompanied the ball joint failure also merits attention. Oil contamination can degrade rubber hoses, wiring harnesses, and suspension bushes over time, so the engine bay and underside should be examined for fresh residue or staining around the rocker cover, camshaft seals, and oil filter housing.