Used car guide

2011 Hyundai IX35: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Hyundai IX35s, from 4,732 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,732MOT tests in 2025

57%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)

7,700typical miles a year

1.9×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Hyundai IX35s than on all cars registered in 2011.

Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual

Hyundai IX35
20.2% All 2011 cars
10.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.3% of all 2011 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.
Anti-roll bar link joints2.7× usual

Hyundai IX35
10.1% All 2011 cars
3.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.4% 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 pads1.7× usual

Hyundai IX35
15.6% All 2011 cars
9.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 2.2% of all 2011 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.
Braking performance2× usual

Hyundai IX35
11% All 2011 cars
5.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2.1% of all 2011 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.
Ball joint1.8× usual

Hyundai IX35
11.2% All 2011 cars
6.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, against 3.2% 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.

Better than most

Exhaust system: 1.1% here, against 6.4% of all 2011 cars. Shock absorbers: 2.7% here, against 7.6% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Hyundai IX35 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

53% 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

37% 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

37% 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

9% 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

7% 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

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2015	11,427	Brakes 37%
2014	12,972	Brakes 39%
2013	10,039	Suspension 42%
2012	7,839	Suspension 45%
2010	2,557	Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Hyundai IX35s registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score