Used car guide · 2010–2020

Hyundai IX20 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Hyundai IX20, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 86,026 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

86,026MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
29,522on the UK register
1known fault across all years
2018best 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).

20202019201820172016201520142013201220112010

What usually goes wrong with a Hyundai IX20?

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.

  • Handbrake recall (cars to 2012)

    Cars registered 2010–2012 · Cars to 2012

    Water could corrode the rear calipers so the handbrake wouldn't hold on a hill. Just under 6,000 cars were recalled in October 2012. Few other faults are reported.

    At the viewing: Test the handbrake on a slope, and ask whether the recall was done.

    Source: CarGurus UK: Hyundai ix20 (2010-2019) review

Common Hyundai IX20 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.

Petrol

  • Brake lights

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 4.3× usual

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

    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.

  • Braking performance

    up to 2× usual

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

    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.

  • Handbrake performance

    up to 6.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011 and 2012.

    Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

Diesel

  • Track rod ends

    up to 5× usual

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

    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.

  • Braking performance

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 4.5× usual

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

    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.

  • Handbrake performance

    up to 9.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012 and 2014.

    Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011 and 2013.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

Hyundai IX20 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2018 Hyundai IX20 did best (89% passed first time, 6 points above all 2018 cars) and the 2013 did worst (59%, 8 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
202091%87% +4365 (small sample)
201989%85% +44,510
201889%83% +66,396
201784%80% +411,647
201679%77% +210,860
201575%74% +19,728
201466%70% -410,280
201359%67% -810,052
201257%64% -710,539
201156%62% -610,641
201056%60% -41,008

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Hyundai IX20

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

  1. Has the handbrake recall been done?
  2. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the Hyundai IX20 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 4.4× as often on the Hyundai IX20 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 4.2× as often on the Hyundai IX20 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Hyundai IX20?

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