Hyundai Kona MOT pass rate and common problems
91.4% of 69,685 Hyundai Kona MOT tests pass.
The Kona passes its MOT 91.4% of the time — well above the average across all Hyundai models, which sits at 79.7%.
The Hyundai Kona passes its MOT 91.4% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Hyundai Kona?
This is the average across every Hyundai Kona 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 eases gradually with age, from 92.5% at 0–3 years to 90.3% at 6–10 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 92.5% | 20,059 | 25,539 miles |
| 3–6 years | 91.1% | 46,251 | 32,928 miles |
| 6–10 years | 90.3% | 3,375 | 43,386 miles |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Hyundai Kona
The most common reason the Hyundai Kona fails its MOT is tyres — present in 41.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 41.9% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Visibility | 27.1% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 26.9% | Too high |
| Brakes | 15.4% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Suspension | 4.5% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.4% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.1% | Cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.0% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.6% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 0.5% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Hyundai Kona: what to check
These checks follow the Hyundai Kona’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.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 86.4% down to 81.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 41.9% of failed Hyundai Kona MOTs.
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.
2. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 27.1% of failed Hyundai Kona 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.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 26.9% of failed Hyundai Kona MOTs.
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.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 15.4% of failed Hyundai Kona MOTs. 4.3% of tests at 6–10 years failed on brakes, against 1.0% 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 4.5% of failed Hyundai Kona 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 i30 — 72.3% pass rate
- Hyundai Ioniq — 91.1% pass rate
- Hyundai IX35 — 71.3% pass rate
- Hyundai Santa Fe — 74.8% pass rate
- Hyundai IX20 — 77.3% pass rate
- Hyundai i40 — 77.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Hyundai Kona?
- 91.4% of Hyundai Kona MOT tests pass, based on 69,685 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Hyundai Kona?
- The most common reason the Hyundai Kona fails its MOT is tyres — present in 41.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
- What are the common problems with the Hyundai Kona?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Hyundai Kona are tyres; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Hyundai Kona?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics; 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 Kona'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.