Hyundai i40 MOT pass rate and common problems
77.4% of 30,463 Hyundai i40 MOT tests pass.
At 77.4%, the i40 passes slightly less often than the average across all Hyundai models (79.7%).
At 77.4%, the Hyundai i40 passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Hyundai i40?
This is the average across every Hyundai i40 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 88.2% at 3–6 years to 70.1% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 88.2% | 1,668 | 69,318 miles |
| 6–10 years | 81.2% | 17,302 | 91,424 miles |
| 10–15 years | 70.1% | 11,493 | 110,147 miles |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Hyundai i40
The most common reason the Hyundai i40 fails its MOT is brakes — present in 44.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 44.1% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 31.1% | Not working on dipped beam |
| Tyres | 28.7% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Suspension | 22.4% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Steering | 17.3% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Visibility | 10.8% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.8% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 3.3% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Road Wheels | 1.7% | Fixing missing |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.6% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
Buying a used Hyundai i40: what to check
These checks follow the Hyundai i40’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 i40 comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 81.2% to 70.1%. 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: 92.1% down to 85.2%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Brakes
Recorded in 44.1% of failed Hyundai i40 MOTs. 16.4% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 5.0% at 3–6 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.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 31.1% of failed Hyundai i40 MOTs. 11.4% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 4.1% at 3–6 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 28.7% of failed Hyundai i40 MOTs. 8.5% of tests at 10–15 years failed on tyres, against 4.0% at 3–6 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. Suspension
Recorded in 22.4% of failed Hyundai i40 MOTs. 10.5% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension, against 1.4% at 3–6 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.
5. Steering
Recorded in 17.3% of failed Hyundai i40 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 8.5% of tests at 10–15 years failed on steering.
The steering should feel precise, without knocks or play, and the car should run straight. Turn to full lock both ways and listen for clunks.
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 — 91.4% pass rate
- Hyundai Santa Fe — 74.8% pass rate
- Hyundai IX20 — 77.3% pass rate
- Hyundai Getz — 61.4% pass rate
- Hyundai I800 — 74.4% pass rate
- Hyundai i10 SE Connect — 90.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Hyundai i40?
- 77.4% of Hyundai i40 MOT tests pass, based on 30,463 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Hyundai i40?
- The most common reason the Hyundai i40 fails its MOT is brakes — present in 44.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
- What are the common problems with the Hyundai i40?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Hyundai i40 are brakes; lights and electrics; tyres. 16.4% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 5.0% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Hyundai i40?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: brakes; lights and electrics; tyres; suspension; steering. 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 i40'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.