Three doors, one side — coupe with a twist
The Veloster was Hyundai's bold attempt at a sporty coupe for the UK market, sold between 2012 and 2015 in the first generation, with the second generation (including the hot Veloster N) being largely a US/Korean market affair. Its unique three-door layout — one door on the driver's side, two on the passenger side — makes it genuinely unlike anything else on UK roads. Used prices are low, reflecting limited demand and poor residual values against rivals like the VW Scirocco.
We track 6 known issues across the Hyundai Veloster 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 Veloster? Enter the reg to see which of our 6 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
FS (2011–2020) — Engine options included the 1.6 GDI. Our database flags 6 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Brake pipe corrosion (£400–£800 to address).
Brake pipes on the Veloster suffer from premature corrosion, with MOT data showing failures at 7.3 times the fleet average even on very low mileage cars. The pipes appear to be inadequately protected against salt corrosion, with failures documented from as early as 0-20,000 miles. This represents a safety-critical failure mode where brake pressure can be lost suddenly. Later models do not appear to have addressed this design weakness.
Corroded brake pipes can fail suddenly, resulting in complete loss of braking ability and a serious accident risk. Once corrosion begins, it spreads rapidly and replacement of the entire brake pipe system may be required. Full brake pipe replacement typically costs £400-800 depending on which sections need replacement.
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 handbrake system on the Veloster has documented problems with both complete failure on one side and insufficient overall efficiency. MOT data shows failure rates of 9.1 times the fleet average for single-side inoperative handbrakes and 8.9 times average for insufficient efficiency. This appears to be a design or adjustment issue affecting the mechanical handbrake mechanism, with problems typically manifesting from 40,000 miles onwards.
An ineffective handbrake creates a safety risk on slopes and will fail the MOT test. Single-sided failure can cause the car to roll unexpectedly when parked. Adjustment may resolve early cases, but cable or mechanism replacement is typically required, costing £200-400 depending on which components have failed.
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.
Steering ball joints on the Veloster wear at 7.4 times the fleet average rate, affecting cars across all mileage bands from 20,000 miles upwards. With 1,646 recorded MOT failures, this represents the most common chassis-related failure on the model. The ball joints appear to be underspecified for the vehicle's weight and suspension geometry, with both the joints themselves and their protective dust covers failing prematurely.
Worn steering ball joints create dangerous handling characteristics and can fail suddenly, causing loss of steering control. Both the joints and their protective covers require replacement when worn. Replacement of both track rod ends typically costs £200-400, but if the steering rack is also damaged by dirt ingress, costs can reach £800-1200.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
Front wheel bearings on the Veloster fail at 10.3 times the fleet average rate, with premature failures documented from as early as 20,000 miles. The bearing assemblies appear to be inadequately sealed or underspecified for the loading conditions. This is a concerning failure rate for a safety-critical component that, when it fails completely, can cause wheel separation.
A failed wheel bearing can cause wheel separation and loss of control. Early intervention when noise first develops allows bearing replacement for £150-300 per side. If left until the bearing seizes, hub damage can increase costs to £400-600 per side and create a dangerous driving situation.
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.
Suspension joint dust covers on the Veloster deteriorate at exceptional rates, with missing covers occurring at 33.1 times the fleet average and severe deterioration at 16.7 times average. These rubber boots protect ball joints and CV joints from dirt and moisture ingress. While the covers themselves are inexpensive, their failure leads to premature wear of the expensive joints they protect.
Failed dust covers allow dirt and water into expensive joints, causing premature wear. CV joint boots cost £50-100 to replace but if left, CV joint replacement costs £200-400 per side. Ball joint boots are cheaper to replace but failure leads to ball joint replacement at £100-200 per side.
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.
For the full breakdown of all 6 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Hyundai Veloster common problems page.
Based on 14k real DVSA MOT tests, the Hyundai Veloster fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is tyre wear or damage at 42x the fleet average, followed by suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe... (33x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Hyundai Veloster 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 Veloster service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Hyundai Veloster 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. For the first generation (UK market), the 2014-2015 facelift models are most reliable with fewer recalls. Avoid 2012-2013 cars which have the worst complaint records. The Veloster N (2019-2022, mostly imports) is the one enthusiasts want — the 2020-2022 models with the 8-speed DCT or 6-speed manual are the pick. Always choose manual over DCT for reliability.
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 Veloster, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 6 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 6 known Hyundai Veloster issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.