Used car guide

2020 Hyundai i20: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Hyundai i20 first registered in 2020: we looked at the 4,034 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,034MOTs of 2020 cars, done in 2025
88%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
6,000typical miles a year
26%had tyres flagged

Common 2020 Hyundai i20 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Hyundai i20 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    26% 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
    12% 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 mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    5% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    5% 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 seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2020 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 2020 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
2023204Tyres 14%
20224,409Tyres 20%
20213,794Tyres 22%
20197,397Tyres 28%
20188,678Tyres 28%
201711,709Tyres 28%
201613,780Tyres 28%
201512,739Tyres 28%
201412,870Brakes 32%
201312,240Brakes 36%
20129,310Brakes 39%
20119,062Brakes 46%
20108,820Brakes 45%
20098,391Brakes 43%
2008–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Hyundai i20 cars first registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score