2019 Hyundai i20: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Hyundai i20 first registered in 2019: we looked at the 21,932 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Hyundai i20?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 Hyundai i20 than on all cars registered in 2019.
- Braking performance2.2× usualHyundai i202% All 2019 cars0.9%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.3% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Common 2019 Hyundai i20 MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2019 Hyundai i20 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres25% 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.
- Brakes12% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors8% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Lights and electrics5% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Suspension3% 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.
- Seats and seatbelts2% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
Known faults on the 2019 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.
- Some cars
eCall recall
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.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2019 Hyundai i20
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2019 Hyundai i20 as on other cars the same age.)
- 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
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 203 | Tyres 14% |
| 2022 | 4,593 | Tyres 20% |
| 2021 | 7,566 | Tyres 19% |
| 2020 | 12,036 | Tyres 18% |
| 2018 | 25,722 | Tyres 27% |
| 2017 | 34,821 | Tyres 28% |
| 2016 | 41,071 | Tyres 28% |
| 2015 | 38,149 | Tyres 28% |
| 2014 | 38,819 | Brakes 30% |
| 2013 | 37,204 | Brakes 34% |
| 2012 | 28,676 | Brakes 37% |
| 2011 | 28,625 | Brakes 44% |
| 2010 | 28,485 | Brakes 44% |
| 2009 | 27,469 | Brakes 42% |
| 2008 | 270 | Lights 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 2019. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score