Used car guide

2012 Hyundai I800: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Hyundai I800 first registered in 2012: we looked at the 2,811 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,811MOTs of 2012 cars, done in 2023–2025
54%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%)
9,200typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Hyundai I800?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Hyundai I800 than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.1× usual
    Hyundai I800
    15.5% All 2012 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Number plate lights2.2× usual
    Hyundai I800
    15% All 2012 cars
    6.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3.6× usual
    Hyundai I800
    10.9% All 2012 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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.

  • Ball joint2.4× usual
    Hyundai I800
    12.7% All 2012 cars
    5.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.8%, against 2.9% of all 2012 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.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 3% here, against 9.1% of all 2012 cars. Coil springs: 3.1% here, against 8.5% of all 2012 cars.

Common 2012 Hyundai I800 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Hyundai I800 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    47% 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.

  • Suspension
    38% 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.

  • 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
    28% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    13% 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
    12% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 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 rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2012 Hyundai I800 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2012 Hyundai I800 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2012 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%
20111,527Brakes 47%
20101,277Brakes 49%
2009480Lights and electrics 54%
2008344Lights and electrics 47%

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 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score