Used buying checklist

Hyundai I20 reliability, common problems and used buying checks

A used Hyundai I20 looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 16.5% of 148,123 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.

Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.

• 16.5% MOT failure rate
• Median tested mileage 52,892 miles
• 24,397 failed MOT tests analysed

Most useful finding

Corrosion and structure is the clearest area to check

Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (25.7 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include excessively corroded, corroded and seriously weakened, and ferrule excessively corroded.

Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:

• excessively corroded
• corroded and seriously weakened
• ferrule excessively corroded
• prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength
• across an axle
• ball joint excessively worn
• ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
• ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
• Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights
• lens slightly defective

Before you view one

Focus on corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical

The model's recorded failure rate is 16.5%, -2.2 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.

• MOT tests analysed148,123 tests
• Median tested mileage52,892 miles
• Failed MOT tests24,397

Used buyer verdict

Should you buy a used Hyundai I20?

83.5% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 16.5%, -2.2 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.

Better than average in our MOT data

Green light if The car has a tidy MOT pattern, recent repairs for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical, matching tyres, and paperwork for service or recall work.

Renegotiate if The latest MOT mentions corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical, consumables are due together, or the seller cannot show what was fixed after advisories.

Walk away if Dangerous defects, corrosion near structural areas, warning lights, or the same component family keep returning without clear repair evidence.

• Repeat unresolved MOT notes for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical
• corrosion and structure appearing across more than one MOT
• Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
• No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
• A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "excessively corroded"

What should I check first?

Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.

• Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results

  Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (25.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.

  • Ask the seller: Has any sill, subframe, mounting-point, chassis, or structural corrosion advisory been repaired properly?
  • Example MOT wording: excessively corroded; corroded and seriously weakened; ferrule excessively corroded
  • Where it shows up: seen across most mileage ranges
• Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results

  Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (15.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.

  • Ask the seller: Has any suspension, steering, ball-joint, spring, or wheel-bearing advisory been repaired?
  • Example MOT wording: across an axle; ball joint excessively worn; ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
  • Where it shows up: seen across most mileage ranges
• Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results

  Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (10.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.

  • Ask the seller: Have any lighting, warning-light, horn, battery, or electrical MOT notes come back more than once?
  • Example MOT wording: Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights; lens slightly defective; inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
  • Where it shows up: seen across most mileage ranges
• Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results

  Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (8.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.

  • Ask the seller: Have windscreen, wiper, washer, mirror, or demisting faults appeared in recent MOT history?
  • Example MOT wording: does not clear the windscreen effectively; provides insufficient washer liquid; damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
  • Where it shows up: seen across most mileage ranges
• Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results

  Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (3.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.

  • Ask the seller: Has the car had repeat emissions, smoke, exhaust, lambda, or engine-warning MOT failures?
  • Example MOT wording: leaking excessively from engine; has a major leak of exhaust gases; emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak
• Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results

  Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.

  • Ask the seller: Have uneven tyre wear, damaged tyres, wheel damage, or alignment issues been corrected?
  • Example MOT wording: Nail in tyre; on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel; effort inadequate at a wheel

What changes with mileage?

Past 100k miles on the Hyundai I20, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.

Common MOT problem areas

148,123 MOT tests analysed for this model

121,021 Distinct vehicles represented

16.5% Recorded MOT test failure rate — -2.2 percentage points vs all models

Common faults: what usually fails on this model?

Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (25.7 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.

Corrosion and structure

• excessively corroded
• corroded and seriously weakened

25.7 MOT notes per 100 tests

Suspension and steering

• across an axle
• ball joint excessively worn

15.9 MOT notes per 100 tests

Lights and electrical

• Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights
• lens slightly defective

10.3 MOT notes per 100 tests

Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors

• does not clear the windscreen effectively
• provides insufficient washer liquid

8.3 MOT notes per 100 tests

Emissions, engine, and exhaust

• leaking excessively from engine
• has a major leak of exhaust gases

3.4 MOT notes per 100 tests

Tyres and wheels

• Nail in tyre
• on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel

1.8 MOT notes per 100 tests

Brakes

• remains on when the brakes are released
• not releasing correctly and functionality of brakes affected

0.0 MOT notes per 100 tests

Recall-related areas to verify

Official recall areas

Manufacturer recall notices for the Hyundai I20 mainly involve 2 areas: mixed recall notices and lights and electrical. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.

Mixed recall notices

• The subject vehicles may experience a transmission malfunction resulting in a loss of drive.
• In the event of ecall trigger the vin number information may not be sent

2 recalls · 2,649 vehicles

Lights and electrical

• The vehicle fuel pump may have an internal malfunction which may fail over time. In case of a fuel pump malfunction the instrument cluster warning light may illuminate and if ignored the vehicle may lose motive power.

1 recall · 17,084 vehicles

Mileage and age checks

Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?

Past 100k miles on the Hyundai I20, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and suspension and steering.

Mileage range	Tests	Vehicles	Failure rate (vs all models)	Median mileage
0-50k	68,382	61,088	9.9%-0.9 percentage points vs all models	32,553 miles
50-100k	65,422	50,961	21.0%+0.3 percentage points vs all models	68,773 miles
100-150k	12,479	8,968	27.9%+1.7 percentage points vs all models	113,248 miles
150-200k	1,112	792	29.6%+2.3 percentage points vs all models	163,157 miles
200k+	131	91	32.8%+6.3 percentage points vs all models	218,684 miles

Problem areas by mileage

Past 100k miles on the Hyundai I20, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.

Mileage range	Car areas most often recorded	Specific MOT defect examples
0-50k	Corrosion and structure (10.7 MOT notes per 100 tests) Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors (6.9 MOT notes per 100 tests) Suspension and steering (5.2 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
50-100k	Corrosion and structure (35.7 MOT notes per 100 tests) Suspension and steering (22.4 MOT notes per 100 tests) Lights and electrical (13.6 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
100-150k	Corrosion and structure (53.4 MOT notes per 100 tests) Suspension and steering (38.0 MOT notes per 100 tests) Lights and electrical (25.8 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
150-200k	Corrosion and structure (59.4 MOT notes per 100 tests) Suspension and steering (46.9 MOT notes per 100 tests) Lights and electrical (28.3 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
200k+	Corrosion and structure (64.1 MOT notes per 100 tests) Suspension and steering (55.7 MOT notes per 100 tests) Lights and electrical (31.3 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.

Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?

The MOT failure rate rises from 4.0% at 0-3 years to 0.0% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 23.4% for 10-15 years cars, based on 58,216 tests.

Age range	Tests	Vehicles	Failure rate (vs all models)	Median age
0-3 years 2023–2026 reg.	3,207	3,048	4.0%-4.4 percentage points vs all models	3.0 years
3-6 years 2020–2023 reg.	26,654	24,126	7.6%-3.0 percentage points vs all models	5.0 years
6-10 years 2016–2020 reg.	60,042	50,777	14.4%-2.2 percentage points vs all models	8.1 years
10-15 years 2011–2016 reg.	58,216	43,989	23.4%-0.2 percentage points vs all models	12.2 years
15+ years pre-2011 reg.	4	4	0.0%-25.9 percentage points vs all models	15.0 years

Recall records and data freshness

Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?

3 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.

2025-09-08	The vehicle fuel pump may have an internal malfunction which may fail over time. In case of a fuel pump malfunction the instrument cluster warning light may illuminate and if ignored the vehicle may lose motive power. The vehicle fuel pump may have an internal malfunction which may fail over time. In case of a fuel pump malfunction the instrument cluster warning light may illuminate and if ignored the vehicle may lose motive power. The affected vehicles will have the fuel pump replaced as a permanent solution.
2024-05-20	The subject vehicles may experience a transmission malfunction resulting in a loss of drive. On affected vehicles they may experience a transmission malfunction resulting in a loss of drive On all affected vehicles the transmission control unit software will be updated
2021-02-22	IN THE EVENT OF eCALL TRIGGER THE VIN NUMBER INFORMATION MAY NOT BE SENT The vehicle VIN information may not be registered correctly within the eCall unit. Register the VIN information within the vehicle by resetting the E-call unit and updating.

Related searches

Common ways people look up the Hyundai I20. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.

• Hyundai I20 common problems
• Hyundai I20 reliability
• Hyundai I20 after 100k miles
• Hyundai I20 after 200k miles
• Hyundai I20 high mileage common problems
• Hyundai I20 age related problems
• Hyundai I20 MOT failures
• Hyundai I20 recalls

Related reliability guides

Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.