Hyundai Kona MOT Failures
An analysis of 38,401 real DVSA MOT tests on the Hyundai Kona — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: OS (2017–2022).
Where the Hyundai Kona fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Hyundai Kona is obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or... — this model is 16 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 38,401 MOT tests, 0.17% of all Hyundai Kona 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.
The failures span 2 categories: Lights & Electrics, Exhaust & Emissions. If you're inspecting a Hyundai Kona 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.
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 Kona specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Battery fire recall (early) Dangerous
Early Kona Electric models were subject to a global recall due to manufacturing defects in the LG Chem battery cells that could cause thermal runaway and fire. Affects OS.
DPF issues Major
The diesel particulate filter can become blocked on Kona diesel variants, particularly on vehicles used primarily for short urban journeys. Affects OS; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.
Carbon buildup (GDI engines) Major
Direct injection petrol engines develop carbon deposits on intake valves because fuel is not sprayed over the valves to clean them. Affects OS; typical independent garage repair cost is £250–£400.
Electronic parking brake failure (Hybrid) Major
Hybrid variants show significantly elevated electronic parking brake failures at MOT testing. Affects OS; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£700.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Hyundai Kona common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Hyundai Kona
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Hyundai Kona:
Lights & Electrics — check for obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or.... Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about battery fire recall and dpf issues. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — 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 Kona?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Hyundai Kona MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Hyundai Kona?
Based on 38,401 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or... — at 16x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include emissions failure.
Is the Hyundai Kona reliable based on MOT data?
The Hyundai Kona has 2 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag battery fire recall as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
The most common high-mileage failures include obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or..., emissions failure.
How do I check a Hyundai Kona'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.