Hyundai Ix35 MOT Failures
An analysis of 743,703 real DVSA MOT tests on the Hyundai Ix35 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: LM (2010–2016).
Where the Hyundai Ix35 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Hyundai Ix35 is light unit fault — this model is 47 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 743,703 MOT tests, 0.59% of all Hyundai Ix35 tests recorded this as a failure.
Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.
Other notable weak points include tyre wear or damage (21x the fleet average), body panel damage (15x the fleet average), track rod ends worn (15x the fleet average), and front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or no... (12x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Hyundai Ix35'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: Lights & Electrics, Tyres, Bodywork, Steering, Brakes and others. If you're inspecting a Hyundai Ix35 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 Ix35'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 Ix35 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are light unit fault (47x the average) and track rod ends worn (15x). brake on any wheel grabbing severely (14x) and parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement (11x) 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 Ix35 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are light unit fault (27x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (21x). brake hoses perished or damaged (19x) and front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or no... (12x) 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 Ix35 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are light unit fault (18x the average) and body panel damage (15x). tyre wear or damage (12x) and front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or no... (10x) 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 Ix35 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Rear suspension component corrosion (LM) Dangerous
The ix35 shows severe rear suspension component corrosion affecting control arms, links, and mounting points. Affects LM; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,500.
Parking brake adjustment failure (LM) Major
The ix35 suffers from parking brake efficiency and adjustment problems across all variants. Affects LM; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£250.
Brake system adjustment and efficiency issues (LM) Major
The ix35 shows multiple brake-related failures in MOT testing, including inadequate braking effort (10.9 times fleet average) and insufficient brake pedal reserve travel (9.9 times average). Affects LM; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£400.
Rear suspension bush wear (LM)
The ix35 shows premature wear of rear suspension bushes, with MOT failure rates 10 times the national average for suspension pins, bushes and joints being excessively worn. Affects LM; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Hyundai Ix35 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Hyundai Ix35
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Hyundai Ix35:
Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault, front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or no.... Tyres — check for tyre wear or damage. Bodywork — check for body panel damage. Steering — check for track rod ends worn.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about rear suspension component corrosion and parking brake adjustment failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £800. 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 Ix35?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Hyundai Ix35 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Hyundai Ix35?
Based on 743,703 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is light unit fault — at 47x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include tyre wear or damage and body panel damage.
Is the Hyundai Ix35 reliable based on MOT data?
The Hyundai Ix35 has 18 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag rear suspension component 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 Ix35 most commonly fails on light unit fault and body panel damage. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are light unit fault and track rod ends worn.
How do I check a Hyundai Ix35'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.