Used car guide

2017 Hyundai Kona: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Hyundai Konas, from 421 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 421 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

421MOT tests in 2025
85%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
6,200typical miles a year
28%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2017 Hyundai Kona 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
    22% 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
    6% 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
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

  • Suspension
    2% 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.

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.

  • Battery recalls (Kona Electric)
    Kona Electric

    The Kona Electric was recalled for a management fault that could damage the battery (2020) and possible short circuits in the battery (2021).

    At the viewing: Ask a Hyundai dealer to confirm both battery recalls were done.

    Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai Kona (Mk1, 2017 on) review

  • Cold-start rattle (1.0 T-GDi)
    1.0 T-GDi petrol

    The 1.0 petrol can rattle from cold as the camshaft chain touches the cam cover. Fixes are hard to find.

    At the viewing: Start it from cold and listen.

    Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai Kona (Mk1, 2017 on) review

  • Airbag, brake pipe and eCall recalls
    Petrol and diesel

    Petrol and diesel cars were recalled for airbags (2019), damaged brake pipes (2019) and eCall (2021).

    At the viewing: Ask for proof the recalls were done.

    Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai Kona (Mk1, 2017 on) review

Looking at a Hyundai Kona?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023846Tyres 23%
202213,845Tyres 24%
202114,254Tyres 28%
202011,903Tyres 31%
20198,872Tyres 32%
20186,705Tyres 29%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2017 Hyundai Konas registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score