2021 HYUNDAI KONA Limited

The 2021 Hyundai Kona is listed with a salvage certificate of title. The auction record identifies the primary damage as “REAR END.” Stage 1 reports that the visible evidence supports this unverified claim: extensive damage is visible to the rear liftgate, hatch glass, bumper, rear quarter panels, and rear lamp area. The rear liftgate window glass is missing, leaving the hatch opening exposed. The liftgate outer panel is severely crushed and deeply creased across the center and lower sections, including deformation around the license-plate recess. The metal and trim around the upper and side edges of the hatch opening are bent and irregular, with exposed edges around the missing glass. The rear bumper cover is severely torn, cracked, detached, and distorted. Large sections are hanging below the vehicle, pulled outward, and exposing internal components. The left rear bumper-side corner also has missing or displaced exterior covering, with brackets, wiring, and other components visible. A large detached plastic panel with broken and missing sections is shown separately on the ground; its exact location is not identified. Both rear body sides show deformation. The left rear quarter panel has dents and creases around the taillight and wheel arch, while the right rear quarter and bumper-side area are creased adjacent to the damaged liftgate and bumper. The left rear lamp area is displaced and damaged, with an irregular lens and surrounding body opening. The steering-wheel covering shows minor surface wear and discoloration. No additional findings are provided regarding the mechanical systems, suspension, underbody structure, water exposure, or the vehicle’s ability to run and drive. A thorough physical inspection and repair estimate are recommended, including checks of the rear body structure, wiring, lamp assemblies, hatch sealing, and components behind the bumper. According to the VIN decode, this is a left-hand-drive, front-wheel-drive/4x2 Kona Limited SUV built in South Korea. It is equipped with a gasoline 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a seven-speed automatic transmission, and 18-inch wheels. The decoded vehicle is listed with standard forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear visibility system; these systems should be inspected and recalibrated after repairs. The provided recall information includes campaign 21V301000 concerning certain 2019–2021 Kona vehicles equipped with the 2.0-liter Nu MPI engine. This vehicle’s VIN decode identifies a 1.6-liter T-GDI engine, so recall applicability is not established by the information provided and should be confirmed with Hyundai using the VIN.