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Hyundai i20 reliability by build year

Coverage 2009-present3 named generationssuperminiHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

Hyundai i20 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Hyundai i20 models built around 2018 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Check a Hyundai i20 by number plate

Key figure

15% of MOT tests on Hyundai i20 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 18% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Hyundai i20 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Hyundai i20's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your i20's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

i20 Mk3 (BC3)

Mk3 (BC3) (2020-present)

Average
PETROLHYBRID ELECTRIC

10.8% fail rate, built around 2021 (4 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 9 MOTs, 11.4%)

From 4,129 MOT tests at this ageView details →
i20 Mk2 (GB)

Mk2 (GB) (2014-2019)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESELHYBRID ELECTRIC

14.9% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 11,434 MOT tests at this ageView details →
i20 Mk1 (PB)

Mk1 (PB) (2009-2013)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

29.4% fail rate, built around 2013 (12 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 26.3%)

From 6,025 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL
87 MOT tests across all agesLimited data

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Hyundai i20.

See every build year for the Hyundai i20

Side-by-side

Hyundai i20 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk3 (BC3) (2020-present)
Average
Average10.8%built around 2021 (4 years old)from 4,129 MOT tests at this age
Mk2 (GB) (2014-2019)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings14.9%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 11,434 MOT tests at this age
Mk1 (PB) (2009-2013)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings29.4%built around 2013 (12 years old)from 6,025 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the i20, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Hyundai i20 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Hyundai i20 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
8,53912.7%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
6,17310.8%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
5,84611.1%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
8,79112.6%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
11,43414.9%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
15,07016.5%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
15,63217.8%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
17,09920.8%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
17,35726.6%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
15,77529.4%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
12,12130.3%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
11,69429.3%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
13,51130.2%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
5,93930.1%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 13 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Hyundai i20 stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Hyundai models

4th of 10

4th lowest fail rate of 10 Hyundai models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

28th of 84

28th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

14.9%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Hyundai i20 models

These issues come from 7-year-old Hyundai i20 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    15.1%
    Advisory: 2,490Fail: 228 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    13.9%
    Advisory: 2,519Fail: 159 (6% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    11.3%
    Advisory: 1,401Fail: 210 (13% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    7.3%
    Advisory: 1,150Fail: 15 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, but not excessively

    2.9%
    Advisory: 407Fail: 62 (13% of the times it was found)

Based on 11,434 MOT tests on 7-year-old Hyundai i20 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Hyundai i20 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres37%
  2. Other + Tyres20%
  3. Lighting + Tyres15%
  4. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers14%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 2,549 MOT tests on Hyundai i20 cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

94%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

3 recalls in all

All 3 Hyundai i20 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 recalls

Top concerns

  • The subject vehicles may experience a transmission malfunction resulting in a loss of drive.
  • IN THE EVENT OF eCall TRIGGER THE VIN NUMBER INFORMATION MAY NOT BE SENT
  • The vehicle fuel pump may have an internal malfunction which may fail over time. In case of a fuel pump malfunction the

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Volkswagen up!

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.7%

    No clear edge over the Hyundai i20 on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    15,657 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    DS 3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.9%

    No clear edge over the Hyundai i20 on these figures.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,861 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Suzuki Celerio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.5%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 2.4%, against 4.3% for the Hyundai i20.

    5,662 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Toyota Aygo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.2%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 1.2%, against 2.1% for the Hyundai i20.

    25,028 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Hyundai i20 across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 4th lowest fail rate of 10 Hyundai models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 11,434 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Hyundai i20 ever sold: 164,981 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 11,434 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.