Family hatchback · 2016–2021 cars
Hyundai Ioniq reliability
The Hyundai Ioniq fails 12.5% of first MOT tests, 26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 100,551 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Hyundai Ioniq before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 12.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 26% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 100,551
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 11,600
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Hyundai Ioniq ages
Each point is the share of Hyundai Ioniqs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Hyundai Ioniq | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 11.2% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 12% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 13.2% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 14.8% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 17.2% | 22.1% |
By year
The best and worst Hyundai Ioniq years
2017 cars come out best and 2021 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Ioniq | 8,152 | 11.2% | 22% fewer fails | 38,983 |
| 2020 Ioniq | 15,882 | 10.8% | 23% fewer fails | 35,764 |
| 2019 Ioniq | 26,392 | 12% | 23% fewer fails | 41,700 |
| 2018 Ioniq | 29,284 | 13.1% | 27% fewer fails | 53,237 |
| 2017 Ioniq | 19,298 | 14% | 30% fewer fails | 60,687 |
| 2016 Ioniq | 1,543 | 15.3% | 29% fewer fails | 62,074 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Hyundai Ioniq
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres4.3%19% below avg
- Lights and electrics3.6%25% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.9%15% below avg
- Brakes2.6%20% below avg
- Suspension0.4%84% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.4%69% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.3%61% below avg
- Wheels0.1%48% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.1%65% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.85% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.36% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.84% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 0.67% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 5
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.56% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 6
Service brake efficiency below minimum 0.46% of tests
The brakes are not stopping the car effectively enough, a serious safety risk that needs urgent repair before driving.
- 7
Headlamp aim set too low 0.43% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 8
Headlamp levelling device inoperative 0.42% of tests
A faulty levelling device means the headlamps may dazzle others or light the road poorly when the car is loaded.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Hyundai Ioniq's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit8.57%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.68%
- Brake disc pitted or scored4.26%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit1.41%
- Brake pads wearing thin1.32%
- Child seat limits belt inspection1.26%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Hyundai Ioniq
- 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
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
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.
- 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 Ioniq covers about 11,600 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
- Hybrid88%
- Electric11.8%
- Petrol0.1%
- Other0%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
White, Grey, Black, Blue, Silver
Average engine size: 1.6 litres.
Compare
How the Hyundai Ioniq compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lexus CT | 15.5% | 40% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Ioniq | 12.5% | 26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo C30 | 40% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo V50 | 44.3% | 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki SX4 | 28.8% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Leaf | 20% | 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën Xsara | 50.4% | 18% 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 Ioniq questions, answered
Is the Hyundai Ioniq reliable?
On MOT results, the Hyundai Ioniq is better than average: it fails 12.5% of first MOT tests, 26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 6 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Hyundai Ioniq MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Hyundai Ioniq are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.85% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.36% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (0.84% of tests). By area, tyres fails 4.3% of its tests.
Which Hyundai Ioniq year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2017 cars do best (30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2021 cars do worst (22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Hyundai Ioniq do a year?
A typical Hyundai Ioniq covers about 11,600 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 Ioniq 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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