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Hyundai i20 reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 1.0 million MOT tests of cars first registered 2009–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
74.4%pass first time
−1.4 ptsvs typical car
Beats 41%of cars
1.0MMOT tests

Verdict

The Hyundai i20 passes its MOT first time on 74.4% of tests, 1.4 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (75.8%). That puts it ahead of 41% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2015 i20 does best (beats 74% of cars) and the 2013 worst (beats 14%).

Of its engines, the 1.0 Petrol does best (beats 68%) and the 1.0 Hybrid worst (beats 13%).

Better than average on suspension, emissions & leaks, body & structure.

Watch these weak spots

Lights & electrics1.3×as often as a typical car
Brakes1.4×as often as a typical car
Sidelights2.1×as often as a typical car
Ball joint dust covers5.6×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%100%3456789101112131415161790%84%78%72%66%59%59%57%
Hyundai i20Typical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2009
Beats 42%
2010
Beats 45%
2011
Beats 33%
2012
Beats 15%
2013
Beats 14%
2014
Beats 33%
2015
Beats 74%
2016
Beats 68%
2017
Beats 61%
2018
Beats 63%
2019
Beats 67%
2020
Beats 63%
2021
Beats 26%
2022
Beats 11%
2023
Beats 2%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Petrol2009–2020730,22373.5%Beats 38%D
1.4 Petrol2009–2018154,75574.8%Beats 55%C
1.0 Petrol2016–202153,65586.6%Beats 68%B
1.4 Diesel2009–201642,43766.1%Beats 32%D
1.0 Hybrid2020–202327,89586.3%Beats 13%E
1.1 Diesel2013–20156,91365.2%Beats 11%E
1.6 Petrol2022–20222,04588.7%Beats 49%C

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 1.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 4.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 10.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 4.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 7.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 10.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−2.2 ptsTyres: 4.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+0.8 ptsBrakes: 7.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−2.1 ptsSuspension: 4.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+1.7 ptsExhaust: 1.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.4 ptsSuspension: 4.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 7.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 4.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 10.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 1.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 10.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−2.2 ptsTyres: 4.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+0.8 ptsBrakes: 7.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−2.1 ptsSuspension: 4.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+1.7 ptsExhaust: 1.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.4 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Lights: 10.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
10.8% vs 8.6%
Brakes
7.0% vs 4.9%
Visibility
6.3% vs 4.2%
Suspension
4.9% vs 6.7%
Tyres
4.9% vs 5.7%
Emissions & leaks
1.5% vs 1.9%
Body & structure
1.3% vs 2.0%
Seat belts & airbags
1.1% vs 0.5%
Steering
0.8% vs 1.2%
Wheels
0.1% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Sidelights 2.1× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Windscreen washers 1.7× typical
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Brake performance 1.6× typical
    On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal.
  • Handbrake performance 1.5× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

40%60%80%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k92%87%77%67%59%54%51%50%
Hyundai i20Typical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Sidelights3.9%1.8%2.1×
Windscreen wipers3.1%2.1%1.5×
Windscreen washers3.0%1.8%1.7×
Tyre damage & cracking2.8%3.3%0.8×
Headlight aim2.7%2.4%1.1×
Brake lights2.1%1.7%1.2×
Tyre tread depth1.8%2.1%0.9×
Brake pads1.8%1.7%1.0×
Ball joint dust covers1.6%0.3%5.6×
Number plate lights1.5%0.9%1.7×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning34.7
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen31.0
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen29.9
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements26.6
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc23.2
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning18.5
A tyre seriously damaged18.2
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements17.9
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Hyundai i201 engine84.4% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Hybrid3,07484.4%Beats 2%E
2022 Hyundai i202 engines86.3% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Hybrid11,56985.9%Beats 8%E
1.6 Petrol2,04588.7%Beats 49%C
2021 Hyundai i202 engines87.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Hybrid12,22887.2%Beats 26%D
1.0 Petrol3,63386.9%Beats 28%D
2020 Hyundai i203 engines89.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Petrol12,26788.8%Beats 62%B
1.0 Petrol3,07890.9%Beats 82%A
1.0 Hybrid1,02486.2%Beats 17%E
2019 Hyundai i202 engines88.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Petrol26,61288.2%Beats 68%B
1.0 Petrol9,49288.5%Beats 66%B
2018 Hyundai i203 engines86.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Petrol37,12885.9%Beats 60%C
1.0 Petrol8,96289.2%Beats 82%A
1.4 Petrol4,65786.6%Beats 57%C
2017 Hyundai i203 engines84.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Petrol56,98084.5%Beats 61%B
1.0 Petrol12,29084.8%Beats 61%B
1.4 Petrol9,55786.7%Beats 66%B
2016 Hyundai i204 engines84.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Petrol72,52383.9%Beats 67%B
1.0 Petrol16,20084.7%Beats 72%B
1.4 Petrol12,79086.2%Beats 79%B
1.4 Diesel5,95080.2%Beats 59%C
2015 Hyundai i204 engines83.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Petrol72,61782.5%Beats 70%B
1.4 Petrol30,29886.1%Beats 89%A
1.4 Diesel10,01677.9%Beats 60%C
1.1 Diesel1,40779.2%Beats 65%B
2014 Hyundai i204 engines75.0% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Petrol103,57075.0%Beats 33%D
1.4 Petrol8,79579.6%Beats 49%C
1.4 Diesel2,85666.8%Beats 15%E
1.1 Diesel1,27162.0%Beats 4%E
2013 Hyundai i204 engines67.5% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Petrol94,74267.3%Beats 14%E
1.4 Petrol10,22573.0%Beats 25%D
1.1 Diesel4,23561.6%Beats 7%E
1.4 Diesel2,98961.8%Beats 14%E
2012 Hyundai i203 engines64.2% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Petrol74,30763.6%Beats 14%E
1.4 Petrol9,90469.6%Beats 24%D
1.4 Diesel1,80357.7%Beats 12%E
2011 Hyundai i203 engines64.4% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Petrol63,77264.5%Beats 34%D
1.4 Petrol17,26767.4%Beats 38%D
1.4 Diesel7,03756.9%Beats 18%E
2010 Hyundai i203 engines63.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Petrol61,03263.2%Beats 43%C
1.4 Petrol23,93467.1%Beats 53%C
1.4 Diesel5,18657.5%Beats 30%D
2009 Hyundai i203 engines61.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.2 Petrol54,67361.3%Beats 42%C
1.4 Petrol27,32863.2%Beats 45%C
1.4 Diesel6,60056.2%Beats 32%D

FAQ

What is the Hyundai i20 MOT pass rate?

74.4% of MOT tests on the Hyundai i20 were passed first time, based on 1,017,923 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2009–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 75.8% of the time.

Is the Hyundai i20 reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 41% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Hyundai i20 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2015 i20 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 74% of cars on UK roads. The 2013 does worst: it beats 14%.

Which Hyundai i20 engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.0 Petrol does best: it beats 68% of cars on UK roads. The 1.0 Hybrid does worst: it beats 13%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Hyundai i20?

The most common failure items are sidelights, windscreen wipers, windscreen washers. Compared with similar cars, sidelights comes up 2.1× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.