Used car guide · 2011–2019

Hyundai I40 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Hyundai I40, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 63,036 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

63,036MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
21,502on the UK register
2known faults across all years
2017best year at its MOT

Pick the year

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).

201920182017201620152014201320122011

What usually goes wrong with a Hyundai I40?

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.

  • Footwell water leak

    Cars registered 2011–2019 · All engines

    Some cars leak into the passenger front footwell because of a broken seal.

    At the viewing: Feel the passenger-side carpet for damp.

    Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai i40 review

  • Mirror motors, sat nav and steering wheel wear

    Cars registered 2011–2019 · All engines

    Door mirror motors fail (the whole mirror has to be replaced), the sat nav can fail after an update, and the steering wheel covering can peel.

    At the viewing: Fold and adjust both mirrors, test the sat nav and look at the steering wheel.

    Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai i40 review

Common Hyundai I40 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Braking performance

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 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.

  • Headlights

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Steering rack

    up to 9.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    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.

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Hyundai I40 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2017 Hyundai I40 did best (81% passed first time, 1 point above all 2017 cars) and the 2013 did worst (64%, 3 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
201984%85% -11,421
201881%83% -23,467
201781%80% +17,539
201678%77% +110,427
201574%74% +010,561
201468%70% -210,624
201364%67% -38,072
201263%64% -19,270
201162%62% +01,655

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Hyundai I40

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

  1. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the Hyundai I40 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the Hyundai I40 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Hyundai I40 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Hyundai I40?

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