Used car guide

2016 Hyundai I40: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Hyundai I40s, from 3,355 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,355MOT tests in 2025
78%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
10,000typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for braking performance

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Hyundai I40s than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Braking performance2.2× usual
    Hyundai I40
    5.5% All 2016 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.8% of all 2016 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.

  • Engine oil leaks1.8× usual
    Hyundai I40
    5% All 2016 cars
    2.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.1× usual
    Hyundai I40
    4% All 2016 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.2% of all 2016 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.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 1% here, against 4.3% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Hyundai I40 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    30% 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
    28% 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
    12% 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
    11% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% 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
    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.

Looking at a Hyundai I40?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20181,130Tyres 30%
20172,456Tyres 32%
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 2016 Hyundai I40s registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score