2020 HYUNDAI SONATA

This 2020 Hyundai Sonata (VIN 5NPEF4JAXLH001148) is listed with a salvage certificate stating more than 75% damage. The auction’s primary damage code is “SIDE.” Stage 1 reports that the visible evidence supports the SIDE classification, with severe damage concentrated on the left side and front-left corner. However, the exterior photographs alone do not establish whether the greater-than-75-percent damage threshold has been met. The left front fender and headlamp assembly are missing, exposing the inner wheel-area structure and leaving an open cavity at the front corner. The left front door has extensive deep creasing, buckling, and deformation, while the adjacent rocker panel and lower sill show significant deformation, creasing, and displaced or missing trim. The left rear door also has multiple dents and creases, particularly near its front and lower sections. Window glass is absent from both the left front and left rear side-window openings. The left rear quarter panel is creased and deformed around the tail lamp and trunk-side area. The vehicle is identified by NHTSA as a four-door sedan with a 2.5-liter gasoline GDI Theta III engine. It was manufactured by Hyundai Motor Manufacturing in Montgomery, Alabama, United States. The VIN data does not provide the drivetrain or transmission details. NHTSA records list four recalls for applicable 2020 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. These concern Remote Smart Parking Assist software that may fail to prevent vehicle movement after a system malfunction (20V213000), incorrect tire-size information on the tire-pressure label and in the owner’s manual (20V122000), a trunk-latch issue that may prevent opening from inside the trunk (22V196000), and a fuel-system check-valve issue that may allow the fuel tank to contact hot exhaust components, potentially causing melting and a fuel leak (25V796000). The recall data provided does not confirm whether any of these repairs have been completed on this vehicle. The visible damage warrants a thorough inspection of the left-side structure, rocker and sill area, suspension and steering components, wiring, airbag and restraint systems, door and window mechanisms, lighting circuits, fuel system, and overall alignment before purchase or repair.