Small car · 2007–2021 cars

Hyundai i20 reliability

The Hyundai i20 fails 27% of first MOT tests, 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 393,610 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Below averageReliability score 41/100#21 of 63 small cars

Checking a Hyundai i20 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 27%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 10% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 393,610; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 6,700; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Hyundai i20 has a mixed record, so buy with your eyes open. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 27%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 10% more MOT fails. Models from 2015 did best, with 11% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Models from 2021 did worst, with 33% more. Seat belts and airbags are the weakest area, with 127% more fails there than comparable cars.

A below-average record doesn't rule out a good buy. If you can, look for a 2015 car, and check it carefully before you commit. Test every light, wiper and washer jet yourself. The most common MOT failures are a position lamp not working, a wiper blade not clearing the windscreen, low washer fluid and a stop lamp (brake light) not working. Also check that every seat belt works and that no airbag warning light is showing.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Hyundai i20 ages

Each point is the share of Hyundai i20s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Hyundai i20All cars

Hyundai i20 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Hyundai i20	All cars
3	10%	12.3%
4	12.1%	14.1%
5	14.6%	16.4%
6	16.3%	19.1%
7	19%	22.1%
8	24.5%	25.5%
9	30.8%	28.8%
10	36.8%	31.8%
11	38.3%	34.6%
12	39.2%	37.3%
13	41.1%	39.5%
14	42%	41.1%
15	43.7%	42.3%

By year

The best and worst Hyundai i20 years

2015 cars come out best and 2021 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Hyundai i20 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 i20	1,491	13.9%	33% more fails	20,115
2020 i20	6,736	10.2%	9% fewer fails	23,037
2019 i20	18,661	10.9%	11% fewer fails	25,620
2018 i20	28,243	12.6%	7% fewer fails	29,785
2017 i20	38,230	15.5%	4% fewer fails	37,700
2016 i20	44,856	17.4%	7% fewer fails	43,596
2015 i20	42,200	19.6%	11% fewer fails	50,806
2014 i20	42,789	28.1%	16% more fails	53,107
2013 i20	41,427	35.8%	31% more fails	59,134
2012 i20	31,922	38.9%	29% more fails	64,682
2011 i20	32,195	38.8%	15% more fails	73,084
2010 i20	32,855	39.1%	9% more fails	75,185
2009 i20	31,679	41.1%	10% more fails	77,766
2008	325	35.7%	9% fewer fails	84,992

Common problems

What fails most on a Hyundai i20

Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 127% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics11.3%29% above avg
Brakes7.6%47% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.5%59% above avg
Suspension5.7%21% below avg
Tyres5.2%9% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.8%16% below avg
Body, chassis and structure1.6%31% below avg
Seat belts and airbags1.3%127% above avg
Steering0.9%33% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Position lamp not working 3.69% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.81% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
3
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 2.06% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
4
Stop lamp not working 1.86% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
5
Ball joint dust cover no longer sealed 1.81% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the joint, speeding wear, so the joint may need replacing later.
6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.64% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
7
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.58% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
8
Registration plate lamp not working 1.13% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Hyundai i20's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre slightly damaged or cracking11.51%
Tyre worn close to legal limit11.5%
Brake disc pitted or scored7.24%
Brake pads wearing thin7.16%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy6.31%
Child seat limits belt inspection1.91%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Hyundai i20

1
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.
2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
3
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
4
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
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 i20 covers about 6,700 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

Petrol94.5%
Diesel5%
Hybrid0.5%
LPG0%

Most common colours

White, Red, Grey, Blue, Black

Average engine size: 1.3 litres.

Compare

How the Hyundai i20 compares with its rivals

Hyundai i20 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Hyundai i20	27%	10% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Nissan Note	34.9%	10% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Mazda 2	30.8%	11% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Kia Rio	30.9%	17% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot 208	27.5%	27% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot 207	49%	31% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Dacia Sandero	30.8%	62% more MOT fails than the average car its age

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

Questions

Hyundai i20 questions, answered

Is the Hyundai i20 reliable?

On MOT results, the Hyundai i20 is below average: it fails 27% of first MOT tests, 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 21 of 63 small car models in our index.

What fails most on a Hyundai i20 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Hyundai i20 are position lamp not working (3.69% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.81% of tests), windscreen washer fluid insufficient (2.06% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 11.3% of its tests.

Which Hyundai i20 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2015 cars do best (11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2021 cars do worst (33% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Hyundai i20 do a year?

A typical Hyundai i20 covers about 6,700 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 i20 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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