Used car guide · 2016–2026

Hyundai Ioniq common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Hyundai Ioniq, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 136,786 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq

Cars registered in 2024 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 Ioniq as a whole.

6,858on the UK register at the end of 2025
2027first MOT due
Electricmost common fuel (also petrol hybrid)
What to check on a 2024 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).

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

What usually goes wrong with a Hyundai Ioniq?

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.

  • Power cable recall (hybrid, built July 2016 to July 2017)

    Cars registered 2016–2017 · Hybrid, built 2016 to 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.

    Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai Ioniq review

  • Power control unit recall (Electric, built Oct 2016 to Mar 2017)

    Cars registered 2016–2017 · Ioniq Electric, built 2016 to 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.

    Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai Ioniq review

Common Hyundai Ioniq 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.

Hybrid

  • Braking performance

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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.

  • Headlight aim

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

Hyundai Ioniq MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2016 Hyundai Ioniq did best (84% passed first time, 7 points above all 2016 cars) and the 2022 did worst (89%, 0 points above all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202393%92% +1516
202289%89% +012,567
202188%87% +127,520
202088%87% +122,629
201987%85% +229,042
201886%83% +326,035
201785%80% +517,090
201684%77% +71,387

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Hyundai Ioniq

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

  1. Has the power cable recall been done?
  2. Has the power control unit been replaced under the recall?
  3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the Hyundai Ioniq as on other cars the same age.)
  4. 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, 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