Used car guide

2012 Hyundai Veloster: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Hyundai Velosters, from 1,441 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,441MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
6,200typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

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

  • Track rod ends2.9× usual
    Hyundai Veloster
    14.4% All 2012 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.5%, against 2.4% of all 2012 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.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.3× usual
    Hyundai Veloster
    12.7% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Handbrake performance5.1× usual
    Hyundai Veloster
    3.6% All 2012 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 0.7% of all 2012 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.

  • Tyre pressure monitoring system25× usual
    Hyundai Veloster
    2.5% All 2012 cars
    0.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 2.9% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars. Exhaust system: 1.6% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

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

  • Brakes
    41% 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.

  • Suspension
    38% 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
    32% 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
    23% 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
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Steering
    5% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2013837Brakes 39%

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