Used car guide

2015 Hyundai I40: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 Hyundai I40s, from 3,366 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,366MOT tests in 2025
73%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
9,700typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for braking performance

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2015 Hyundai I40s than on all cars registered in 2015.

  • Braking performance2.7× usual
    Hyundai I40
    8.6% All 2015 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.1% of all 2015 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.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.9× usual
    Hyundai I40
    7.2% All 2015 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.3% of all 2015 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.4× usual
    Hyundai I40
    3.3% All 2015 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.5% of all 2015 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.

  • Number plates1.8× usual
    Hyundai I40
    4.2% All 2015 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2015 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints2.7× usual
    Hyundai I40
    2.7% All 2015 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2015 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

Coil springs: 0.7% here, against 5.4% of all 2015 cars. Shock absorbers: 1.4% here, against 5.2% of all 2015 cars.

By area

The share of 2015 Hyundai I40 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    33% 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
    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.

  • Suspension
    20% 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
    14% 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
    6% 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
    5% 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 I40?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20181,130Tyres 30%
20172,456Tyres 32%
20163,355Tyres 30%
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 2015 Hyundai I40s registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score