Used car guide

2008 Hyundai I800: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Hyundai I800 first registered in 2008: we looked at the 344 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 344 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

344MOTs of 2008 cars, done in 2023–2025
56%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
7,400typical miles a year
5.5×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Hyundai I800?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Hyundai I800 than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Steering rack inner joints5.5× usual
    Hyundai I800
    14.8% All 2008 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2008 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.

  • Track rod ends3× usual
    Hyundai I800
    15.1% All 2008 cars
    5.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 2.4% of all 2008 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.

  • Headlights2.1× usual
    Hyundai I800
    19.5% All 2008 cars
    9.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.6%, against 4.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

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

  • Engine oil leaks1.9× usual
    Hyundai I800
    21.8% All 2008 cars
    11.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

Common 2008 Hyundai I800 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Hyundai I800 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    47% 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
    47% 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
    43% 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
    27% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    24% 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.

  • Steering
    16% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Hyundai I800

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

  1. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.5× as often on the 2008 Hyundai I800 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2008 Hyundai I800 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2008 Hyundai I800 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Hyundai I800?

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 I800 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020220Lights and electrics 28%
20195,407Lights and electrics 25%
20183,528Lights and electrics 30%
20174,030Lights and electrics 34%
20163,146Lights and electrics 37%
2015451Lights and electrics 39%
2014457Brakes 42%
2013621Brakes 44%
20122,811Brakes 47%
20111,527Brakes 47%
20101,277Brakes 49%
2009480Lights and electrics 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Hyundai I800 cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score