2013 Hyundai i10: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Hyundai i10?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Hyundai i10 than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Rigid brake pipes4× usual
  Hyundai i10

  18.7% All 2013 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.6% of all 2013 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.

• Ball joint dust cover3.5× usual
  Hyundai i10

  9% All 2013 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 1.1% of all 2013 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 lights2.4× usual
  Hyundai i10

  8.6% All 2013 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 2.8% of all 2013 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.

• Number plate lights1.8× usual
  Hyundai i10

  11% All 2013 cars

  6.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.8% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Sidelights2.2× usual
  Hyundai i10

  8.6% All 2013 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.4%, against 3.5% of all 2013 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.

Common 2013 Hyundai i10 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Hyundai i10 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  33% 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
  31% 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
  30% 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
  30% 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
  10% 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
  5% 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.

Known faults on the 2013 Hyundai i10

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.

• Cambelt due (1.1)

  1.1 petrol

  The 1.1 needs a cambelt every seven years or 72,000 miles. The other engines use a chain.

  At the viewing: Ask for an invoice if it’s due.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Hyundai i10 buying guide (2008-2014)

• Clutch judder

  Manual gearbox

  Clutch judder is a common complaint. Hyundai has a fix.

  At the viewing: Pull away gently and feel for shuddering.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Hyundai i10 buying guide (2008-2014)

• Buzzing headlight levelling switch

  All engines

  The headlight levelling switch can fail and buzz.

  At the viewing: Try the levelling switch.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Hyundai i10 buying guide (2008-2014)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Hyundai i10

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the cambelt been changed, and is there an invoice?
2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2013 Hyundai i10 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2013 Hyundai i10 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2013 Hyundai i10 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?