Used car guide

2016 Hyundai Ioniq: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Hyundai Ioniqs, from 468 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 468 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

468MOT tests in 2025
86%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
9,900typical miles a year
28%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

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

  • Tyres
    28% 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
    16% 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
    8% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    5% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Power cable recall (hybrid, built July 2016 to July 2017)
    Hybrid, built 2016 to 2017

    About 5,000 hybrids built July 2016 to July 2017 were recalled because power cables could overheat.

    At the viewing: Ask a Hyundai dealer to confirm the recall was done.

    Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai Ioniq review

  • Power control unit recall (Electric, built Oct 2016 to Mar 2017)
    Ioniq Electric, built 2016 to 2017

    The power control unit on early Ioniq Electrics could crack, let water in and shut the car down.

    At the viewing: Ask for proof the recall was done.

    Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai Ioniq review

Looking at a Hyundai Ioniq?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023371Tyres 15%
202210,667Tyres 21%
202112,567Tyres 23%
20207,715Tyres 25%
20199,698Tyres 23%
20188,718Tyres 23%
20175,668Tyres 23%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Hyundai Ioniqs registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score