2017 Hyundai I10 1.0L Petrol · ST17 ABK

A pattern of deteriorating mechanical condition is clearly visible in this Hyundai i10's MOT history, with the trajectory culminating in a failed test in November 2025 before a subsequent pass six days later. The 2025 failure identified a parking brake efficiency below requirements, an offside rear service brake exhibiting excessive fluctuation, a nearside front inner brake pad approaching the end of its service life, a perished nearside rear coil spring, and a compromised offside front lower suspension arm ball joint dust cover. The immediate re-test pass was achieved only after rectifying these major defects, yet the advisory items logged alongside both the failure and the pass reveal that the rear tyres on both sides remain slightly damaged or perishing, indicating a tyre ageing issue that was first flagged on the rear pair back in November 2024. Compounding matters, the November 2024 test recorded worn and pitted front brake discs, thin front brake pads, an illuminated Tyre Pressure Monitoring System warning, and again both rear tyres exhibiting cracking and perishing, suggesting a pattern of brake wear and tyre degradation that has not been fully resolved across successive tests. With 27,518 miles accumulated over approximately nine years, the vehicle has covered an average of around 3,058 miles annually, which is notably low for a car of this age. Five MOT tests are recorded between 2022 and 2025, all falling within the same late-November window, which suggests a consistent annual testing cadence without extended periods off the road. This kind of low-mileage usage, while reducing wear on high-mileage components such as the clutch, engine internals, and drivetrain, tends to accelerate corrosion on exposed steel components such as coil springs and suspension linkages, and can promote perishing in tyres that spend prolonged periods stationary. The early onset of coil spring corrosion flagged in 2025 is consistent with this usage profile, as springs are particularly vulnerable to surface oxidation when vehicles are used primarily for short urban journeys rather than sustained higher-speed running that helps dry out moisture accumulation. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priorities are to verify the quality of the repairs carried out to secure the November 2025 re-test pass, particularly the parking brake mechanism, the offside rear service brake, and the offside front lower suspension arm ball joint. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension when traversing speed bumps or uneven surfaces, as the replaced ball joint dust cover suggests prior contamination of the joint; excessive play in the offside front wheel when rocked by hand would indicate substandard repair. The brake pedal should feel firm without excessive travel, and the parking brake should hold the vehicle securely on a moderate incline without creeping, given the recorded efficiency failure. Pulsation or grabbing through the brake pedal under light to moderate application would suggest the offside rear brake fluctuation has not been properly rectified, possibly indicating a warped rear brake disc, a binding caliper, or a faulty wheel cylinder. Both rear tyres were flagged for cracking and perishing in 2024 and again in 2025, which warrants close inspection of the sidewalls for hairline cracks and checking the DOT date codes to confirm the tyres are not excessively aged. The nearside rear coil spring should be examined visually for advanced corrosion, as continued use with a heavily corroded spring risks structural failure and potential tyre damage. The front brake discs and pads recorded as worn and thin in 2024 should also be inspected for remaining material depth and disc lip measurement, as these components may be approaching the need for replacement. Finally, given the illuminated TPMS warning recorded in 2024, confirm whether one or more tyre pressure sensors have failed, as replacement of these sensors on a low-volume city car can represent a disproportionate cost relative to the vehicle's value.