Used car guide

2013 Hyundai I40: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Hyundai I40s, from 2,474 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,474MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
9,300typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Hyundai I40s than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.7× usual
    Hyundai I40
    12.6% All 2013 cars
    4.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.6% of all 2013 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.

  • Track rod ends2.6× usual
    Hyundai I40
    12.4% All 2013 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8%, against 2.4% of all 2013 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.

  • Braking performance2.2× usual
    Hyundai I40
    9.8% All 2013 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.6% of all 2013 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.

  • Steering rack11× usual
    Hyundai I40
    5.5% All 2013 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.2% of all 2013 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.

  • Number plate lights1.9× usual
    Hyundai I40
    11.4% All 2013 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.8% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 2.8% here, against 6% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Hyundai I40 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    37% 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
    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.

  • 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.

  • Steering
    12% 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
    12% 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 I40?

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Other years

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

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Hyundai I40s registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score