Used car guide · 2007–2026

Hyundai i30 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Hyundai i30, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 310,676 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Hyundai i30

Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Hyundai i30 as a whole.

178registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Petrolmost common fuel (also diesel)
What to check on a 2026 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007

What usually goes wrong with a Hyundai i30?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Petrol engine failures and misfires

    Cars registered 2007–2011 · 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

  • Handbrake that won’t release (early manuals)

    Cars registered in 2012 · 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

  • Sunroof and tyre pressure recalls

    Cars registered 2017–2025 · Some cars

    A few cars built Sept to Oct 2018 were recalled for the sunroof anti-trap sensor, and cars built June 2020 to Sept 2021 for tyre pressure monitoring software.

    At the viewing: Ask a Hyundai dealer to confirm any recalls were done.

    Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai i30 (Mk3, 2017 on) review

  • Faulty tyre pressure sensors

    Cars registered 2007–2011 · 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

  • Mixed reliability

    Cars registered 2012–2016 · 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

Common Hyundai i30 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 4.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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.

  • Brake lights

    up to 4.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015 and 2016.

    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 performance

    up to 8.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

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

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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.

  • Individual direction indicators

    up to 6.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

Diesel

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 5.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 4.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    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.

  • Brake lights

    up to 3.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2015 and 2016.

    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 performance

    up to 9.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

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

  • Individual direction indicators

    up to 6.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    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.

Hybrid

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 12.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Exhaust system

    up to 36× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Wipers

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2022.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Brake discs

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2022.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

Hyundai i30 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2022 Hyundai i30 did best (91% passed first time, 2 points above all 2022 cars) and the 2013 did worst (58%, 9 points below all 2013 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202291%89% +21,099
202186%87% -12,559
202087%87% +04,502
201987%85% +212,296
201884%83% +121,882
201781%80% +120,184
201672%77% -528,418
201569%74% -540,671
201463%70% -729,347
201358%67% -931,163
201256%64% -826,160
201154%62% -826,551
201053%60% -730,484
200954%59% -525,512
200851%57% -67,330
200751%57% -62,518

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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 braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the Hyundai i30 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 4.8× as often on the Hyundai i30 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 6.5× as often on the Hyundai i30 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Hyundai i30?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score