Used car guide

2008 Hyundai i10: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Hyundai i10s, from 4,383 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,383MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
4,300typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Hyundai i10s than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Coil springs2× usual
    Hyundai i10
    24.2% All 2008 cars
    12.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 3.9% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Ball joint dust cover3× usual
    Hyundai i10
    14.6% All 2008 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes8.4× usual
    Hyundai i10
    7.6% All 2008 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Track rod ends2.2× usual
    Hyundai i10
    12.2% All 2008 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 2.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Steering rack inner joints2.6× usual
    Hyundai i10
    7.4% All 2008 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1.7% here, against 11.3% of all 2008 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 2.5% here, against 7.2% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Hyundai i10 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    55% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    41% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    39% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    34% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    17% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    13% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Hyundai i10?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20224,555Tyres 24%
20213,800Tyres 29%
20203,377Tyres 28%
201918,166Tyres 26%
201821,207Tyres 29%
201723,740Tyres 30%
201622,085Brakes 29%
201522,203Tyres 30%
201422,851Tyres 30%
201320,248Suspension 33%
201219,775Tyres 33%
201116,580Brakes 36%
201018,047Brakes 40%
200918,116Suspension 47%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Hyundai i10s registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score