Large family car · 2011–2020 cars
Hyundai i40 reliability
The Hyundai i40 fails 26.6% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 71,170 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Hyundai i40 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 26.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 71,170
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 11,300
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Hyundai i40 ages
Each point is the share of Hyundai i40s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Hyundai i40 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 15.5% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 17.3% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 16.2% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 20.1% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 23.2% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 27% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 32.2% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 34.4% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 35.5% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 37.1% | 37.3% |
By year
The best and worst Hyundai i40 years
2016 cars come out best and 2014 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 i40 | 1,245 | 16.5% | 2% fewer fails | 53,020 |
| 2018 i40 | 3,975 | 17.4% | 7% fewer fails | 60,019 |
| 2017 i40 | 8,554 | 17.5% | 15% fewer fails | 63,204 |
| 2016 i40 | 11,777 | 20.1% | 15% fewer fails | 74,260 |
| 2015 i40 | 11,897 | 24.6% | 8% fewer fails | 80,939 |
| 2014 i40 | 11,877 | 30.2% | 1% more fails | 89,271 |
| 2013 i40 | 9,333 | 33.7% | 1% more fails | 99,842 |
| 2012 i40 | 10,635 | 35.7% | 1% more fails | 102,565 |
| 2011 i40 | 1,876 | 37.3% | 1% fewer fails | 107,220 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Hyundai i40
Its weak spot is steering: 193% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Brakes8.4%38% above avg
- Lights and electrics7.6%26% below avg
- Tyres7%0% above avg
- Steering5%193% above avg
- Suspension4.8%41% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.4%18% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.4%47% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.8%68% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.6%23% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.68% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 3.29% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.39% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.25% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.6% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 6
Service brake excessively binding 1.24% of tests
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
- 7
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.23% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 8
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.2% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Hyundai i40's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit16.88%
- Brake pads wearing thin10.86%
- Brake disc pitted or scored7.9%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.42%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy3.72%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive3.12%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Hyundai i40
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 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
Dipped beam headlamp not working
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 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 i40 covers about 11,300 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
- Diesel98.7%
- Petrol1.3%
- Hybrid0%
Most common colours
Silver, Black, White, Blue, Red
Average engine size: 1.7 litres.
Compare
How the Hyundai i40 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen CC | 25.1% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Honda Accord | 38.7% | 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai i40 | 26.6% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 508 | 28.2% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Tesla Model 3 | 14.7% | about average for its age |
| Vauxhall Vectra | 45.9% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C5 | 28.5% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every large family car ranked in the large family car reliability index, or all Hyundai models.
Questions
Hyundai i40 questions, answered
Is the Hyundai i40 reliable?
On MOT results, the Hyundai i40 is about average: it fails 26.6% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 16 of 29 large family car models in our index.
What fails most on a Hyundai i40 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Hyundai i40 are brake pads worn below 1.5mm (3.68% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (3.29% of tests), dipped beam headlamp not working (2.39% of tests). By area, brakes fails 8.4% of its tests.
Which Hyundai i40 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2014 cars do worst (about average for its age).
How many miles does a Hyundai i40 do a year?
A typical Hyundai i40 covers about 11,300 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 i40 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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