Used car guide

2011 Hyundai i20: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Hyundai i20s, from 9,062 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

9,062MOT tests in 2025

59%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)

5,800typical miles a year

3.4×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Hyundai i20s than on all cars registered in 2011.

Rigid brake pipes3.4× usual

Hyundai i20
20.9% All 2011 cars
6.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
Ball joint dust cover3.3× usual

Hyundai i20
10.2% All 2011 cars
3.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.3% of all 2011 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.
Braking performance2.2× usual

Hyundai i20
11.8% All 2011 cars
5.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Sidelights1.7× usual

Hyundai i20
10% All 2011 cars
5.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 9.8%, against 5.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Front strut mounts and bushes6.6× usual

Hyundai i20
4.6% All 2011 cars
0.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.1% of all 2011 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.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 3.8% here, against 10.8% of all 2011 cars. Exhaust system: 2.7% here, against 6.4% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Hyundai i20 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Brakes

46% 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.
Suspension

41% 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

34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

33% 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.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

12% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

8% 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.

Looking at a Hyundai i20?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2022	4,409	Tyres 20%
2021	3,794	Tyres 22%
2020	4,034	Tyres 26%
2019	7,397	Tyres 28%
2018	8,678	Tyres 28%
2017	11,709	Tyres 28%
2016	13,780	Tyres 28%
2015	12,739	Tyres 28%
2014	12,870	Brakes 32%
2013	12,239	Brakes 36%
2012	9,308	Brakes 39%
2010	8,820	Brakes 45%
2009	8,391	Brakes 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Hyundai i20s registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score