2010 Hyundai i30: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2010 Hyundai i30?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2010 Hyundai i30 than on all cars registered in 2010.

• Anti-roll bar link joints3.5× usual
  Hyundai i30

  13.7% All 2010 cars

  3.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1.5% of all 2010 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.

• Suspension arm3.8× usual
  Hyundai i30

  12.3% All 2010 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.4% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Brake lights2.3× usual
  Hyundai i30

  10.7% All 2010 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.4%, against 3.7% of all 2010 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.

• Braking performance2× usual
  Hyundai i30

  11.7% All 2010 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.4% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Steering rack5.3× usual
  Hyundai i30

  5.3% All 2010 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.5% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

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.

Common 2010 Hyundai i30 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2010 Hyundai i30 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  52% 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
  38% 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
  37% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Tyres
  35% 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.

• Steering
  11% 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.

• 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.

Known faults on the 2010 Hyundai i30

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.

• Petrol engine failures and misfires

  Petrol

  A few petrol engines have failed, and others developed misfires.

  At the viewing: Listen for misfires and knocking, and check for warning lights.

  Source: What Car?: used Hyundai i30 (2007-2012) reliability

• Faulty tyre pressure sensors

  Cars with tyre sensors

  Tyre pressure sensors can wrongly warn that a tyre is over-inflated.

  At the viewing: Check the tyre pressures yourself if a warning shows.

  Source: What Car?: used Hyundai i30 (2007-2012) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2010 Hyundai i30

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

1. Has the engine had any major work?
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2010 Hyundai i30 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the 2010 Hyundai i30 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2010 Hyundai i30 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?