2016 Hyundai Ioniq: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Hyundai Ioniq first registered in 2016: we looked at the 1,393 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Hyundai Ioniq?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Hyundai Ioniq than on all cars registered in 2016.
- Braking performance2.7× usualHyundai Ioniq6.2% All 2016 cars2.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.8% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Suspension arm bushes and joints: 2% here, against 4.9% of all 2016 cars.
Common 2016 Hyundai Ioniq MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2016 Hyundai Ioniq MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres25% 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.
- Brakes17% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors6% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Suspension6% 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 electrics5% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Seats and seatbelts2% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
Known faults on the 2016 Hyundai Ioniq
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.
- Hybrid, built 2016 to 2017
Power cable recall (hybrid, built July 2016 to July 2017)
About 5,000 hybrids built July 2016 to July 2017 were recalled because power cables could overheat.
At the viewing: Ask a Hyundai dealer to confirm the recall was done.
- Ioniq Electric, built 2016 to 2017
Power control unit recall (Electric, built Oct 2016 to Mar 2017)
The power control unit on early Ioniq Electrics could crack, let water in and shut the car down.
At the viewing: Ask for proof the recall was done.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Hyundai Ioniq
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Has the power cable recall been done?
- Has the power control unit been replaced under the recall?
- Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2016 Hyundai Ioniq as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Hyundai Ioniq?
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 Ioniq compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 533 | Tyres 12% |
| 2022 | 12,567 | Tyres 20% |
| 2021 | 27,528 | Tyres 21% |
| 2020 | 22,638 | Tyres 22% |
| 2019 | 29,065 | Tyres 23% |
| 2018 | 26,061 | Tyres 23% |
| 2017 | 17,106 | Tyres 23% |
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 Ioniq cars first registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score