Used car guide

2012 Hyundai IX35: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Hyundai IX35s, from 7,839 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,839MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
7,700typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Hyundai IX35s than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Brake pads1.7× usual
    Hyundai IX35
    16.5% All 2012 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 2.2% of all 2012 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 performance2.1× usual
    Hyundai IX35
    10.3% All 2012 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.8% of all 2012 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.

  • Sidelights1.9× usual
    Hyundai IX35
    9.7% All 2012 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.5%, against 4.4% of all 2012 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.

  • Suspension arm2.5× usual
    Hyundai IX35
    6.5% All 2012 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 1.5% here, against 6.5% of all 2012 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 1.2% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Hyundai IX35 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    29% 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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201511,427Brakes 37%
201412,972Brakes 39%
201310,039Suspension 42%
20114,732Suspension 53%
20102,557Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Hyundai IX35s registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score