The Kona launched in 2017 and petrol manuals were commonly fitted with small-capacity naturally aspirated or 1.0T turbo engines — the turbo versions need proper oil-change intervals to avoid turbo wear. As a petrol car it won’t have diesel-specific items like DPF or AdBlue, and Hyundai parts are widely available in Ireland so routine repairs are straightforward and relatively affordable.

• Clutch feel and engagement: test for a high bite point, slipping under load or judder which is common on older manual cars.
• Manual gearbox operation: ensure smooth gear changes with no crunching or grinding, particularly into 2nd and 3rd.
• If the car is the 1.0 T‑GDi turbo, listen for turbo whine or lag and watch for blue/black smoke under acceleration; check for oil leaks around the turbo/intercooler.
• Front suspension bushes, anti-roll bar links and wheel bearings: drive over bumps to detect knocking or vibrations.
• Tyre age and condition: check the DOT week/year on all tyres — 8-year-old tyres are often due for replacement even with good tread.