2014 Hyundai I10 1.2L Petrol · YY14 DDA

The most recent MOT test on 24 March 2026 resulted in a pass, which is encouraging; however, the broader maintenance trend over the past two test cycles shows signs of deterioration rather than stability. In March 2026 the vehicle initially failed on 19 March due to an offside front suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn, classified as a Major defect, before being repaired and re-presented five days later when it passed with an advisory concerning nearside rear outer brake disc scoring. Looking further back, the 2024 test also recorded a Major failure for a nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint excessively worn, indicating that the front suspension has now failed on the same component group on two separate occasions within two years. Additionally, front brake pads and discs have carried advisories for thin pads and pitted or scored discs across the 2024 and 2025 tests, suggesting progressive wear on the braking system that has not yet been fully addressed. The recorded mileage of 98,537 miles over a 12-year vehicle age equates to approximately 8,211 miles per year, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a city-focused Hyundai i10 of this generation. The MOT record does not show any significant gaps in annual testing, which means the mileage accumulation has been steady and continuous rather than indicative of long periods of standing. This consistent, moderate usage is mechanically favourable in some respects, as regular driving helps prevent issues associated with corrosion from inactivity, but it does place cumulative wear on suspension, braking, and drivetrain components that is consistent with the advisories observed in recent tests. For a prospective buyer, the recurring front suspension wear is the most pressing concern and warrants close physical inspection. The nearside front lower arm ball joint and the offside front suspension arm pin or bush have both failed the MOT in the last two years, which suggests that either the replacement components are of inferior quality, the surrounding bushes and subframe mounting points are also degrading, or the vehicle is being driven over poor road surfaces that accelerate wear. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed bumps, uneven road surfaces, or during full-lock low-speed manoeuvres, and pay attention to any vagueness in steering, tracking instability, or uneven front tyre wear, which would indicate worn bushes or ball joints. Given the recurrence, it would be prudent to budget for a full front suspension refresh including arms, bushes, and drop links, and to confirm with the seller what parts were fitted at the recent repairs and whether original equipment or quality aftermarket components were used. The braking system also demands attention, as front brake pads and discs have been flagged at consecutive tests and the nearside rear outer disc is now showing scoring. On a road test, check for brake shudder through the steering wheel under firm braking, any pulling to one side, a spongy pedal, or scraping noises indicating pad material exhaustion. The rear disc scoring should be examined to confirm it is surface wear rather than deep lipping, and the caliper slide pins and handbrake mechanism checked for seizure. Beyond these flagged items, a 12-year-old vehicle with near-100,000 miles deserves attention to age-related items including coolant and brake fluid replacement on a time rather than mileage basis, the condition of the timing chain or belt service interval, the health of the 12V battery, and the integrity of rubber components such as the cambelt, coolant hoses, and engine mounts, all of which degrade with calendar age regardless of the odometer reading.