Hyundai i20 MOT pass rate and common problems
79.3% of 169,591 Hyundai i20 MOT tests pass.
The i20's pass rate of 79.3% is in line with the average across all Hyundai models, at 79.7%.
The Hyundai i20's pass rate of 79.3% is in line with the national average for cars, at 79.2%.
Own this Hyundai i20?
This is the average across every Hyundai i20 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Hyundai’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Hyundai i20 tested at 0–3 years pass 91.0% of the time, compared with just 67.5% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 91.0% | 3,415 | 20,231 miles |
| 3–6 years | 91.9% | 25,762 | 31,829 miles |
| 6–10 years | 85.0% | 65,555 | 53,586 miles |
| 10–15 years | 69.6% | 70,174 | 74,076 miles |
| 15+ years | 67.5% | 4,685 | 85,285 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Hyundai i20
The most common reason the Hyundai i20 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 50.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 50.0% | Not working |
| Brakes | 43.4% | Excessively corroded |
| Suspension | 25.5% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Visibility | 22.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 20.5% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.4% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 6.0% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.5% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Steering | 3.7% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.7% | Inscription illegible |
Buying a used Hyundai i20: what to check
These checks follow the Hyundai i20’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Hyundai i20 comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 85.0% to 69.6%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 83.9% down to 72.7%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 50.0% of failed Hyundai i20 MOTs. 32.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.0% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 43.4% of failed Hyundai i20 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 20.6% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 25.5% of failed Hyundai i20 MOTs. 13.7% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension, against 0.6% at 0–3 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 22.9% of failed Hyundai i20 MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
5. Tyres
Recorded in 20.5% of failed Hyundai i20 MOTs. 7.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on tyres, against 3.5% at 0–3 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Hyundai service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Hyundai models
- Hyundai i10 — 79.2% pass rate
- Hyundai Tucson — 86.8% pass rate
- Hyundai i30 — 72.3% pass rate
- Hyundai Ioniq — 91.1% pass rate
- Hyundai IX35 — 71.3% pass rate
- Hyundai Kona — 91.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Hyundai i20?
- 79.3% of Hyundai i20 MOT tests pass, based on 169,591 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Hyundai i20?
- The most common reason the Hyundai i20 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 50.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Hyundai i20?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Hyundai i20 are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension. 32.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.0% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Hyundai i20?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; windscreen and wipers; tyres. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Hyundai i20's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Hyundai service history guide for how to check and keep one.