Family hatchback · 2005–2021 cars
Hyundai i30 reliability
The Hyundai i30 fails 34% of first MOT tests, 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 344,848 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Hyundai i30 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 34%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 20% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 344,848
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,300
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
The Hyundai i30 is a mixed bet. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 34%, against 28.4% for all cars. That is 20% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, and it ranks 55 of 65 family hatchback models. Be wary of 2013 cars, which have 31% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. The 2019 cars do better, with 12% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage.
Don't rule it out, though. A well-kept example can be a sound buy if you check the right things. Steering is the weakest area, with 218% more fails there than comparable cars, so test it carefully on a drive. Before you buy, check that the stop lamps and position lamps work, the track rod end ball joints aren't excessively worn, and the parking brake works properly.
MOT fail rate by age
How the Hyundai i30 ages
Each point is the share of Hyundai i30s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Hyundai i30 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 13.4% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 16.7% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 21.4% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 27.3% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 32.9% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 37.3% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 41.4% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 42.9% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 44.2% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 46.5% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 46.9% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 47.7% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 50.9% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 55.6% | 43.4% |
By year
The best and worst Hyundai i30 years
2019 cars come out best and 2013 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 699 | 12.2% | 0% more fails | 27,892 |
| 2020 i30 | 3,299 | 12.7% | 1% fewer fails | 28,620 |
| 2019 i30 | 11,923 | 11.7% | 12% fewer fails | 31,430 |
| 2018 i30 | 25,492 | 14.1% | 7% fewer fails | 38,635 |
| 2017 i30 | 22,945 | 17.7% | 0% more fails | 46,078 |
| 2016 i30 | 31,475 | 25.8% | 23% more fails | 55,051 |
| 2015 i30 | 45,098 | 28.6% | 19% more fails | 62,930 |
| 2014 i30 | 32,801 | 35.3% | 28% more fails | 70,925 |
| 2013 i30 | 34,989 | 40.4% | 31% more fails | 78,747 |
| 2012 i30 | 29,351 | 42.2% | 25% more fails | 85,806 |
| 2011 i30 | 29,240 | 44.2% | 26% more fails | 82,414 |
| 2010 i30 | 35,134 | 46% | 21% more fails | 88,219 |
| 2009 i30 | 30,335 | 45.2% | 16% more fails | 88,355 |
| 2008 i30 | 8,991 | 48.2% | 15% more fails | 103,497 |
| 2007 i30 | 3,071 | 47.4% | 12% more fails | 99,607 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Hyundai i30
Its weak spot is steering: 218% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics14.5%34% above avg
- Brakes11.8%87% above avg
- Suspension8.5%5% below avg
- Tyres7.2%11% above avg
- Steering5.7%218% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.1%16% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.8%38% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.6%44% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.4%53% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Stop lamp not working 4.19% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 2
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 3.98% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.93% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 4
Position lamp not working 2.99% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 5
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.94% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.85% 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 2.34% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 8
Parking brake inoperative on one side 2.24% of tests
The parking brake does not work on one side, so the car may not hold on a slope and needs repair.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Hyundai i30's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit16.19%
- Brake disc pitted or scored10.02%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.74%
- Brake pads wearing thin8.46%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear4.89%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion3.32%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Hyundai i30
- 1
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 2
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 4
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.
- 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 i30 covers about 8,300 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
- Petrol53%
- Diesel47%
- Hybrid0.1%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Grey, Silver, Black, Blue, White
Average engine size: 1.5 litres.
Compare
How the Hyundai i30 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 2 Series | 14.3% | 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Corolla | 32.2% | 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda 3 | 31.9% | 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo V40 | 25.9% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Ceed | 32.7% | 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai i30 | 34% | 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Megane | 45.1% | 30% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Hyundai models.
Questions
Hyundai i30 questions, answered
Is the Hyundai i30 reliable?
On MOT results, the Hyundai i30 is below average: it fails 34% of first MOT tests, 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 55 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Hyundai i30 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Hyundai i30 are stop lamp not working (4.19% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (3.98% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (3.93% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 14.5% of its tests.
Which Hyundai i30 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2019 cars do best (12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2013 cars do worst (31% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Hyundai i30 do a year?
A typical Hyundai i30 covers about 8,300 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 i30 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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