Used car guide

2011 Hyundai IX20: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Hyundai IX20s, from 3,473 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,473MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
5,400typical miles a year
3.5×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Hyundai IX20s than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Track rod ends3.5× usual
    Hyundai IX20
    18.5% All 2011 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.6%, 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover3.3× usual
    Hyundai IX20
    10.1% All 2011 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.3% of all 2011 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.

  • Brake lights2× usual
    Hyundai IX20
    8.8% All 2011 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.5%, against 3.4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Handbrake performance5.6× usual
    Hyundai IX20
    4.5% All 2011 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 0.8% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1.4% here, against 10.8% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Hyundai IX20 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    46% 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.

  • Brakes
    40% 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
    32% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    29% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% 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
    8% 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 IX20?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20191,514Tyres 24%
20182,167Tyres 27%
20173,912Tyres 28%
20163,669Tyres 27%
20153,278Brakes 31%
20143,457Brakes 36%
20133,347Suspension 40%
20123,501Suspension 44%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Hyundai IX20s registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score