Used car guide

2009 Hyundai i30: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Hyundai i30s, from 7,558 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,558MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
5,800typical miles a year
3.5×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Hyundai i30s than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3.5× usual
    Hyundai i30
    14.8% All 2009 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 1.6% of all 2009 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.

  • Track rod ends2.6× usual
    Hyundai i30
    13.9% All 2009 cars
    5.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 2.5% of all 2009 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.5× usual
    Hyundai i30
    10.8% All 2009 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.8% of all 2009 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.

  • Brake lights1.9× usual
    Hyundai i30
    10.5% All 2009 cars
    5.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.9%, against 4.3% of all 2009 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.

  • Braking performance1.6× usual
    Hyundai i30
    10.5% All 2009 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 2.4% of all 2009 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 2.7% here, against 7.5% of all 2009 cars. Shock absorbers: 3.2% here, against 7.5% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Hyundai i30 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    57% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    36% 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
    36% 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.

  • Steering
    11% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    11% 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 i30?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20221,076Tyres 22%
20211,284Tyres 25%
20201,535Tyres 27%
20194,153Tyres 29%
20187,349Tyres 32%
20176,727Tyres 30%
20169,432Tyres 32%
201513,472Tyres 33%
20149,671Suspension 38%
201310,152Suspension 43%
20128,416Suspension 49%
20118,382Suspension 48%
20109,295Suspension 55%
20082,120Suspension 65%
2007729Suspension 64%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Hyundai i30s registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score