Hyundai I20 MOT Failures
An analysis of 816,720 real DVSA MOT tests on the Hyundai I20 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: PB (2008–2014), GB (2014–2020).
Where the Hyundai I20 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Hyundai I20 is suspension pin, bush or joint worn — this model is 13 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it worth watching for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 816,720 MOT tests, 1.02% of all Hyundai I20 tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include emissions failure (27x the fleet average), light unit fault (27x the fleet average), free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (17x the fleet average), and brake hoses perished or damaged (16x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Hyundai I20's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 6 categories: Suspension, Exhaust & Emissions, Lights & Electrics, Steering, Brakes and others. If you're inspecting a Hyundai I20 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Hyundai I20's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Hyundai I20 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (27x the average) and light unit fault (27x). free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (17x) and stop lamp switch with a delay in operation (16x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Hyundai I20 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (21x the average) and brake on any wheel grabbing severely (19x). brake hoses perished or damaged (16x) and stop lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/... (13x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Hyundai I20 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (16x the average) and stop lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/... (10x). suspension pin, bush or joint worn (9.9x) and suspension component damaged or corroded (9.8x) also appear frequently.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Hyundai I20 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Brake pipe corrosion (PB/GB) Dangerous
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. Affects PB/GB; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£600.
Suspension bush and joint wear (PB/GB) Major
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. Affects PB/GB; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£600.
DPF issues (PB/GB) Major
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. Affects PB/GB; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£800.
Injector failure (PB/GB) Major
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. Affects PB/GB; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£800.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Hyundai I20 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Hyundai I20
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Hyundai I20:
Suspension — check for suspension pin, bush or joint worn, suspension component damaged or corroded. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault, stop lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/.... Steering — check for free play in the steering, measured at the rim ....
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about brake pipe corrosion and suspension bush and joint wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £200. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Hyundai I20?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Hyundai I20 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Hyundai I20?
Based on 816,720 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is suspension pin, bush or joint worn — at 13x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include emissions failure and light unit fault.
Is the Hyundai I20 reliable based on MOT data?
The Hyundai I20 has 21 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag brake pipe corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Hyundai I20 most commonly fails on emissions failure and stop lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/.... Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are emissions failure and light unit fault.
How do I check a Hyundai I20's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.