Used car guide

2010 Hyundai IX35: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Hyundai IX35s, from 2,557 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,557MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
7,500typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Hyundai IX35s than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
    Hyundai IX35
    19.8% All 2010 cars
    11%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.2% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Brake pads1.7× usual
    Hyundai IX35
    15.7% All 2010 cars
    9.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 2.2% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Ball joint1.8× usual
    Hyundai IX35
    11.9% All 2010 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 3.4% of all 2010 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.2× usual
    Hyundai IX35
    8.9% All 2010 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.5% of all 2010 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.

  • Braking performance1.8× usual
    Hyundai IX35
    10.5% All 2010 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 2.2% of all 2010 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.

Better than most

Exhaust system: 1.4% here, against 7.6% of all 2010 cars. Engine oil leaks: 4.5% here, against 10.2% of all 2010 cars.

By area

The share of 2010 Hyundai IX35 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    54% 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
    38% 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
    38% 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
    27% 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
    11% 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 IX35?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201511,427Brakes 37%
201412,972Brakes 39%
201310,039Suspension 42%
20127,839Suspension 45%
20114,732Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 Hyundai IX35s registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score