2022 Hyundai Kona Premium GDI HEV S-A 1.6L Hybrid electric (clean) · WJ22 NNM

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 26 February 2026, which represents a satisfactory current roadworthiness outcome. However, the test recorded three advisories, all of which warrant attention from a prospective buyer. Two advisories relate to slight damage, cracking or perishing on both the nearside and offside front tyres, and a third flags a worn pin or bush in the offside front suspension arm that was not considered severe enough to fail at the time of test. The previous MOT dated 13 February 2025 was passed with no defects or advisories recorded, so the emergence of these three items in the most recent test suggests a measurable decline in condition over the intervening twelve months rather than a stable maintenance trajectory. Whilst none of these items individually constitutes a failure, the cumulative pattern indicates that several wear-related components are approaching the threshold of requiring remedial work. The recorded mileage of 14,580 miles across approximately four years equates to an annual average of around 3,645 miles, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age. Such underutilisation carries its own set of mechanical implications that differ from those associated with high-mileage use. Extended periods of standing can lead to brake disc corrosion due to lack of regular application, caliper seizure or binding from seized piston seals, and accelerated tyre perishing from age rather than wear, as evidenced by the cracking advisories already present on the front tyres despite their low mileage. Standing use also tends to flatten 12V battery capacity over time, particularly in hybrid vehicles where the auxiliary battery supports significant electrical load, and can accelerate the degradation of time-sensitive service items such as brake fluid, which is hygroscopic and should typically be renewed on a calendar basis regardless of mileage. There is no significant mileage gap between the two recorded tests that would suggest long periods off the road, but the overall low annual figure still warrants scrutiny of components that deteriorate through inactivity. Given the tyre perishing advisories on both front tyres, a prospective buyer should carry out a close physical inspection of the sidewalls for visible cracking, checking particularly in the flex zone between the tread and the sidewall bead, as well as the tread grooves for any uneven wear patterns or block deformation. Although the tyres may have adequate tread depth, rubber compounds harden and lose grip with age regardless of mileage, and tyres manufactured more than five or six years ago should generally be replaced as a matter of safety. The offside front suspension arm bush or pin wear flagged in the advisory is a more concerning item, as such components progressively deteriorate and can lead to vague steering response, uneven tyre wear on the affected corner, and audible clonks or knocks over uneven road surfaces. On a test drive, listen carefully for any suspension noise from the front end, particularly over speed bumps or rough tarmac, and observe whether the steering remains precise and free of vibration or pulling to one side. Beyond the advisory items, several age- and usage-appropriate physical checks should be undertaken before purchase. The brake discs and calipers should be examined for signs of corrosion, pitting, or binding, which is common on low-mileage vehicles that may have been subjected to short journeys without sustained braking. The 12V auxiliary battery should be health-checked, as low-use hybrid vehicles are particularly susceptible to premature battery failure, and any warning messages on the instrument cluster relating to the hybrid system should be noted. The service history should be verified to confirm that essential time-based items such as brake fluid, coolant, and inverter coolant have been renewed at manufacturer-recommended intervals, which for Hyundai hybrid vehicles typically fall at two-year or twenty-thousand-mile intervals. Finally, the high-voltage hybrid battery state of charge and operation should be observed during a test drive, ensuring smooth transitions between electric and petrol propulsion without warning lights or unusual noises from the underbonnet area, and confirming that the regenerative braking system is functioning as expected.