2012 Hyundai i30: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Hyundai i30?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Hyundai i30 than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Track rod ends3.4× usual
  Hyundai i30

  16.8% All 2012 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.2%, against 2.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

• Suspension arm2.8× usual
  Hyundai i30

  7.2% All 2012 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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.

• Individual direction indicators2.4× usual
  Hyundai i30

  7.2% All 2012 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.2% of all 2012 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.

• Handbrake performance5.7× usual
  Hyundai i30

  4% All 2012 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 0.7% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

Common 2012 Hyundai i30 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Hyundai i30 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  49% 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
  37% 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
  34% 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
  11% 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
  6% 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 2012 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.

• Handbrake that won’t release (early manuals)

  Manual, built to Feb 2012

  Water could get into the rear calipers of manual cars built up to February 2012, stopping the handbrake releasing properly. There was a recall.

  At the viewing: Make sure the handbrake releases fully and the car doesn’t drag.

  Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai i30 (Mk2, 2012-2017) review

• Mixed reliability

  All engines

  Owners report either trouble-free cars or a string of faults, some from the factory, and it ranked low in a 2016 reliability survey.

  At the viewing: Look for a full service history and test every electrical item.

  Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai i30 (Mk2, 2012-2017) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Hyundai i30

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

1. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2012 Hyundai i30 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2012 Hyundai i30 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2012 Hyundai i30 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?