Used car guide

2015 Hyundai i20: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Hyundai i20 first registered in 2015: we looked at the 38,149 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

38,149MOTs of 2015 cars, done in 2023–2025
79%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 74%)
6,200typical miles a year
28%had tyres flagged

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

FuelPass first timeStands outMOTs
Petrol80%Nothing unusual34,373
Diesel73%Braking performance 2.4×, Steering rack inner joints 3.6×, Washers 2×3,776

Common 2015 Hyundai i20 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Hyundai i20 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
    25% 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
    11% 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.

  • Suspension
    6% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    2% 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 2015 Hyundai i20

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.

  • eCall recall

    Some cars

    About 1,900 cars were recalled because the VIN might not be stored correctly in the eCall emergency-call unit. Otherwise What Car? and Auto Express report little trouble.

    At the viewing: Ask a Hyundai dealer whether the recall was done.

    Source: What Car?: used Hyundai i20 (2015-2020) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2015 Hyundai i20

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Hyundai i20?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Hyundai i20 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023203Tyres 14%
20224,593Tyres 20%
20217,566Tyres 19%
202012,036Tyres 18%
201921,932Tyres 25%
201825,722Tyres 27%
201734,821Tyres 28%
201641,071Tyres 28%
201438,819Brakes 30%
201337,204Brakes 34%
201228,676Brakes 37%
201128,625Brakes 44%
201028,485Brakes 44%
200927,469Brakes 42%
2008270Lights and electrics 41%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Hyundai i20 cars first registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score