Used car guide

2011 Hyundai I40: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Hyundai I40s, from 486 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 486 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

486MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
8,600typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Hyundai I40s than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Track rod ends2.5× usual
    Hyundai I40
    13% All 2011 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.6% of all 2011 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 joints2.5× usual
    Hyundai I40
    6.6% All 2011 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2011 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.

By area

The share of 2011 Hyundai I40 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% 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.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    34% 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
    26% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Steering
    10% 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.

Looking at a Hyundai I40?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2019462Tyres 30%
20181,130Tyres 30%
20172,456Tyres 32%
20163,355Tyres 30%
20153,366Brakes 33%
20143,371Brakes 36%
20132,474Brakes 39%
20122,803Suspension 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Hyundai I40s registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score