City car · 2007–2021 cars

Hyundai i10 reliability

The Hyundai i10 fails 26.2% of first MOT tests, 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 728,181 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Below averageReliability score 33/100#26 of 43 city cars

Checking a Hyundai i10 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 26.2%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 19% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 728,181; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 5,300; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Hyundai i10 has a first-time MOT fail rate of 26.2%, below the 28.4% for all cars. But compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 19% more MOT fails. It ranks 26 of 43 city car models, and brakes are its weakest area, with 79% more fails than cars of the same age and mileage.

The best year was 2010, with 7% more fails than cars of the same age and mileage. The weakest was 2021, with 48% more. A below-average model can still be a good buy if you check the right things. When you view one, check the wiper blades clear the windscreen, the position and stop lamps work, the tyre tread is above 1.6mm, and the brakes feel strong.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Hyundai i10 ages

Each point is the share of Hyundai i10s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Hyundai i10All cars

Hyundai i10 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Hyundai i10	All cars
3	12.7%	12.3%
4	15%	14.1%
5	16.7%	16.4%
6	18.6%	19.1%
7	20.8%	22.1%
8	24.6%	25.5%
9	29.6%	28.8%
10	32.9%	31.8%
11	34.7%	34.6%
12	35.1%	37.3%
13	36.9%	39.5%
14	39.9%	41.1%
15	43.5%	42.3%
16	47%	42.9%

By year

The best and worst Hyundai i10 years

2010 cars come out best and 2021 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Hyundai i10 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 i10	2,529	14.5%	48% more fails	16,421
2020 i10	9,717	11.4%	14% more fails	16,592
2019 i10	45,186	15.7%	40% more fails	20,840
2018 i10	68,403	15.6%	25% more fails	24,084
2017 i10	75,134	16.4%	11% more fails	30,414
2016 i10	70,042	18.9%	13% more fails	33,233
2015 i10	70,411	22%	13% more fails	39,352
2014 i10	72,831	26.7%	20% more fails	44,157
2013 i10	62,641	33.3%	38% more fails	45,306
2012 i10	61,854	34.8%	29% more fails	50,786
2011 i10	53,260	33.3%	12% more fails	55,797
2010 i10	59,952	34.8%	7% more fails	60,065
2009 i10	60,086	38.6%	13% more fails	61,900
2008 i10	16,128	43.7%	19% more fails	68,335

Common problems

What fails most on a Hyundai i10

Its weak spot is brakes: 79% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics10.2%36% above avg
Brakes8%79% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.3%60% above avg
Tyres5.9%17% above avg
Suspension4.6%24% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.5%16% below avg
Steering0.9%15% below avg
Body, chassis and structure0.7%62% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.5%1% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.33% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
2
Position lamp not working 2.71% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
3
Stop lamp not working 2.55% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.77% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
5
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.62% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
6
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.57% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
7
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 1.3% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
8
Ball joint dust cover no longer sealed 1.29% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the joint, speeding wear, so the joint may need replacing later.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Hyundai i10's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit12.75%
Brake disc pitted or scored9.48%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.36%
Brake pads wearing thin6.33%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy5.54%
Coil spring showing some corrosion3.53%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Hyundai i10

1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
2
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
3
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Hyundai i10 covers about 5,300 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol100%
Diesel0%
LPG0%
Other0%

Most common colours

White, Blue, Red, Grey, Silver

Average engine size: 1.2 litres.

Compare

How the Hyundai i10 compares with its rivals

Hyundai i10 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Volkswagen up!	18.8%	7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota Aygo	24.5%	about average for its age
Citroën C1	29.7%	9% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Hyundai i10	26.2%	19% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Ka	32.8%	23% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Kia Picanto	29.3%	27% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Fiat 500	31%	28% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Hyundai models.

Questions

Hyundai i10 questions, answered

Is the Hyundai i10 reliable?

On MOT results, the Hyundai i10 is below average: it fails 26.2% of first MOT tests, 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 26 of 43 city car models in our index.

What fails most on a Hyundai i10 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Hyundai i10 are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.33% of tests), position lamp not working (2.71% of tests), stop lamp not working (2.55% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 10.2% of its tests.

Which Hyundai i10 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2010 cars do best (7% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2021 cars do worst (48% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Hyundai i10 do a year?

A typical Hyundai i10 covers about 5,300 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Hyundai i10 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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