Hyundai i20 Element MOT pass rate and common problems
92.2% of 1,940 Hyundai i20 Element MOT tests pass.
The i20 Element passes its MOT 92.2% of the time — well above the average across all Hyundai models, which sits at 79.7%.
The Hyundai i20 Element passes its MOT 92.2% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Hyundai i20 Element?
This is the average across every Hyundai i20 Element 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 declines noticeably with age, from 93.2% at 0–3 years to 85.0% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 93.2% | 1,713 | 21,700 miles |
| 3–6 years | 85.0% | 227 | 22,123 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Hyundai i20 Element
The most common reason the Hyundai i20 Element fails its MOT is visibility — present in 83.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not clear the windscreen effectively".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 83.8% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 13.6% | Not working |
| Tyres | 11.7% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Brakes | 6.0% | Incorrectly mounted |
| Suspension | 1.5% | Has excessive play |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.8% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.8% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Road Wheels | 0.4% | Badly distorted |
Buying a used Hyundai i20 Element: what to check
These checks follow the Hyundai i20 Element’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 Element comes between 0–3 years and 3–6 years old, from 93.2% to 85.0%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 93.1% down to 87.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 83.8% of failed Hyundai i20 Element MOTs. 20.7% of tests at 3–6 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 10.2% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 13.6% of failed Hyundai i20 Element MOTs. 3.5% of tests at 3–6 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.6% 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.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 11.7% of failed Hyundai i20 Element MOTs. 5.3% of tests at 3–6 years failed on tyres, against 1.1% 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.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 6.0% of failed Hyundai i20 Element MOTs. 2.2% of tests at 3–6 years failed on brakes, against 0.6% at 0–3 years.
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.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 1.5% of failed Hyundai i20 Element MOTs.
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.
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 Kona SE Connect — 90.9% pass rate
- Hyundai Accent — 58.4% pass rate
- Hyundai Terracan — 67.8% pass rate
- Hyundai Iload — 69.2% pass rate
- Hyundai Tucson Ultimate Tgdi — 94.1% pass rate
- Hyundai Bayon — 92.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Hyundai i20 Element?
- 92.2% of Hyundai i20 Element MOT tests pass, based on 1,940 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Hyundai i20 Element?
- The most common reason the Hyundai i20 Element fails its MOT is visibility — present in 83.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not clear the windscreen effectively".
- What are the common problems with the Hyundai i20 Element?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Hyundai i20 Element are windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics; tyres. 20.7% of tests at 3–6 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 10.2% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Hyundai i20 Element?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics; tyres; brakes; suspension. 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 Element'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.