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Hyundai i30 Mk1 (FD) (2007-2011) reliability

At a glance

Hyundai i30 Mk1 (FD) built around 2011: about average at the MOT

Hyundai i30 Mk1 (FD) models built around 2011 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Hyundai i30 Mk1 (FD) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

32% of MOT tests on Hyundai i30 Mk1 (FD) models built around 2011 ended in a fail (retests included), against 31% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Hyundai i30 Mk1 (FD) models built around 2011 involves the suspension.

Hyundai i30 Mk1 (FD)
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2007-2011HatchbackPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 40,588 tests of i30 models registered 2007-2011.

About 1 in 15 i30 Mk1 (FD) MOTs (6.9%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2011 (14 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 12,076 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 12 i30 Mk1 (FD) MOTs (8.1%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2011 (14 years old).

Based on 12,076 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 (FD) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
4,89933.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
12,07632.4%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
13,77933.5%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
6,94032.9%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
2,53235.0%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
36233.1%

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 17 years old.

How the i30 Mk1 (FD) compares

At each age below, see how the i30 Mk1 (FD) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 59,356 tests across 9 Hyundai models, built around 2011 (14 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateHyundai average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
4,89933.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
12,07632.4%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
13,77933.5%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
6,94032.9%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
2,53235.0%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
36233.1%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

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.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the i30 Mk1 (FD).

  1. 1

    Toyota IQ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    20.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.9%
    Dangerous
    4.1%

    Lower fail rate: 20.6%, against 32.4% for the Hyundai i30 Mk1 (FD), both built around 2011.

    3,673 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  2. 2

    Honda Insight

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.2%
    Dangerous
    5.8%

    Lower fail rate: 25.7%, against 32.4% for the Hyundai i30 Mk1 (FD), both built around 2011.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,777 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  3. 3

    Nissan Pixo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.2%
    Dangerous
    6.1%

    Lower fail rate: 27.4%, against 32.4% for the Hyundai i30 Mk1 (FD), both built around 2011.

    3,339 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  4. 4

    Nissan Micra

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.9%
    Dangerous
    5.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    Lower fail rate: 28.9%, against 32.4% for the Hyundai i30 Mk1 (FD), both built around 2011.

    16,957 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

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.

How many are still registered

90%of all Hyundai i30 cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

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

13 recalls in all

5 of the 13 i30 Mk1 (FD) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 3 more

Top concerns

  • Driver-side airbag (DAB) inflator may not deploy as intended
  • The air bag may deploy prematurely
  • If moisture enters the ABS module it could cause an electrical short

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

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2011 (14 years old)

Engine sizes across all petrol i30 tests (not specific to Mk1 (FD)).

1.0 to 1.4 litres31.4%4,222 tests1.4 to 2.0 litres31.0%1,822 tests
How i30 Mk1 (FD) cars have aged

How i30 Mk1 (FD) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%1012141618Age at MOTBuilt around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 28.4% (8,692 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (8,661 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 30.7% (8,293 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 31.9% (7,867 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.3% (7,320 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (11,154 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 30.9% (10,724 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 33.0% (10,477 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (9,609 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 33.7% (8,600 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 29.9% (8,605 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (8,078 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (7,457 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (6,675 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (5,690 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 32.0% (2,937 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (2,672 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 33.0% (2,478 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 34.7% (2,165 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 34.6% (1,828 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 30.6% (653 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (575 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (508 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 34.5% (435 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.1% (362 tests, 2025 data)2007
First registered around 2011First registered around 2010First registered around 2009First registered around 2008
Mk1 (FD) variants compared

i30 Mk1 (FD) variants built around 2011

The fail rate for each i30 Mk1 (FD) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • I3031.3%6,045 tests

Diesel

  • I3033.6%6,027 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Hyundai i30 models of this age

This list covers every Hyundai i30 built around 2011, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 (FD) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    25.1%
    Advisory: 3,867Fail: 936 (19% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    24.5%
    Advisory: 4,008Fail: 398 (9% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    15.6%
    Advisory: 2,484Fail: 71 (3% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    15.3%
    Advisory: 3,042Fail: 194 (6% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    13.0%
    Advisory: 1,850Fail: 343 (16% of the times it was found)

Based on 12,076 tests

Looking at a Hyundai i30 Mk1 (FD) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2011 (14 years old), the Hyundai i30 Mk1 (FD) (2007-2011) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 12,076 14-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 40,588 MOT tests on Hyundai i30 models first registered between 2007-2011. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.