Five-year warranty, but dodge the dual-clutch auto
The i20 is Hyundai's Fiesta-class supermini, sold in three generations since 2008. It finished 6th of 24 small cars in What Car's reliability survey with a 98.1% score, and achieves an 80.2% MOT pass rate — above the UK national average. Used Mk3 (2020+) models range from £10,000 to £18,000. Hyundai's transferable 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty is a major differentiator, covering second owners for the remaining term.
We track 7 known issues across the Hyundai I20 range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Hyundai I20? Enter the reg to see which of our 7 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
PB (2008–2014) — Petrol options included the 1.0 T-GDi, 1.2 MPI, 1.25 MPI, 1.4 MPI, 1.4 MPI, with 1.1 CRDi, 1.4 CRDi on the diesel side.
GB (2014–2020) — Petrol options included the 1.0 T-GDi, 1.2 MPI, 1.25 MPI, 1.4 MPI, 1.4 MPI, with 1.1 CRDi, 1.4 CRDi on the diesel side.
Brake pipes on the i20 corrode at 52.0 times the national fleet average, with brake hose ferrules showing 26.2 times higher corrosion rates. The failure pattern worsens over time and affects all engine variants from low mileage. Corrosion typically affects steel brake lines where they pass through the rear beam area and connection points to flexible hoses. This represents a critical safety defect that can cause brake system pressure loss without warning.
Corroded brake pipes can fail catastrophically, resulting in partial or complete brake system failure. Emergency repair costs £200-600 depending on which pipes require replacement. The car is unsafe to drive with visibly corroded brake pipes.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The i20 shows 15.4 times higher suspension component wear compared to the fleet average, with dust cover failures at 190.6 times the average rate. The pattern is worsening over time and affects bushes, joints, and protective covers across all engine variants. Front suspension components typically wear first, followed by rear beam bushes on higher mileage examples.
Worn suspension components affect handling, tyre wear patterns, and MOT compliance. Replacement typically involves multiple components simultaneously. Costs range £300-800 for comprehensive front suspension refresh depending on which components require replacement.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The 1.4 CRDi diesel engine suffers DPF (diesel particulate filter) blockage, confirmed by MOT data showing smoke opacity failures at Short urban journeys prevent proper DPF regeneration cycles, leading to complete blockage. The issue affects vehicles from 50,000 miles onwards and can render the car uneconomical to repair if the DPF requires replacement.
Blocked DPF causes reduced power, increased fuel consumption, and MOT failure. DPF cleaning costs £200-400. Complete DPF replacement costs £800-1500. Removal is illegal and causes MOT failure. The vehicle may enter limp mode and become undriveable.
Ask about the car's typical usage — short urban journeys prevent DPF regeneration. Check for DPF warning lights and ask about any previous regeneration issues. A forced regeneration at a garage costs far less than a DPF replacement.
The 1.4 CRDi engine experiences fuel injector failures from 80,000 miles, typically caused by contaminated fuel or carbon build-up from DPF issues. Failed injectors cause rough running, increased emissions, and can damage other injectors if not replaced promptly. The high-pressure fuel system means injector work requires specialist knowledge and equipment.
Failed injectors cause rough running, increased emissions, and possible MOT failure. Individual injector replacement costs £200-400 but multiple injectors often fail together. Complete set replacement can cost £800-1200. Continuing to drive with failed injectors risks damaging the fuel system.
Check for fuel smells around the engine bay and underneath the car. Look for staining or wetness around fuel lines and connections. Injector issues may cause rough running or misfires that are most noticeable at idle.
Door mechanisms fail at The issue affects door handles, locks, and closing mechanisms across all variants. Internal door handle mechanisms and exterior handle assemblies are the most common failure points, particularly on frequently used driver and front passenger doors.
Failed door mechanisms prevent proper door operation, affecting security and convenience. Interior handle replacement typically costs £100-200 per door. Complete door lock mechanism replacement costs £200-400 per door including labour.
Check panel gaps are even and consistent all the way around the car. Look for signs of repainting — overspray on rubber seals, mismatched paint texture or colour differences between panels. Open and close all doors, the boot and bonnet to check alignment.
For the full breakdown of all 7 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Hyundai I20 common problems page.
Based on 642k real DVSA MOT tests, the Hyundai I20 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is emissions failure at 27x the fleet average, followed by light unit fault (27x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Hyundai I20 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Hyundai I20 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Hyundai I20 has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 2020-2023 for the Mk3 with a manual gearbox (resolved previous generation issues, best cabin quality, transferable warranty still in effect). 2016-2018 for budget buyers wanting the Mk2 — but manual transmission only, never the DCT automatic. Avoid 2014-2016 DCT automatics unconditionally.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Hyundai I20, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 7 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 7 known Hyundai I20 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.