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Hyundai IONIQ reliability by build year

Coverage 2016-20221 named generationHatchbackHYBRID ELECTRIC / ELECTRICITY
At a glance

Hyundai IONIQ built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Hyundai IONIQs built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Hyundai IONIQ by number plate

Key figure

14% of MOT tests on Hyundai IONIQs built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

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

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Hyundai IONIQ's most common MOT issues, turned into things to 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.

Brake pads

High priority

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

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

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 IONIQ's generation

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

IONIQ Mk1 (AE)

Mk1 (AE) (2016-2022)

Too close to call between ratings
HYBRID ELECTRICELECTRICITY

14.1% 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 8,438 MOT tests at this ageView details →

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 IONIQ.

See every build year for the Hyundai IONIQ

By age

Hyundai IONIQ fail rate by age

This chart combines every Hyundai IONIQ 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
8,19811.4%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
11,70610.6%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
9,18911.6%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
11,29912.9%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
8,43814.1%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
4,01314.0%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
13515.6%

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 9 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Hyundai IONIQ 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

3rd of 10

3rd lowest fail rate of 10 Hyundai models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

19th of 84

19th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

14.1%

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 IONIQs

These issues come from 7-year-old Hyundai IONIQs, 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

    15.5%
    Advisory: 1,832Fail: 183 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    8.2%
    Advisory: 892Fail: 19 (2% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    7.5%
    Advisory: 794Fail: 142 (15% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    4.0%
    Advisory: 326Fail: 72 (18% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Minor

    One of the number plate lights not working

    2.1%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 8,438 MOT tests on 7-year-old Hyundai IONIQs, 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 IONIQs 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 + Tyres36%
  2. Other + Tyres17%
  3. Lighting + Tyres14%
  4. Brakes + Other13%

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

Across 1,450 MOT tests on Hyundai IONIQ 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

Not enough registration data to show this for the Hyundai IONIQ.

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.

Recall context

7 recalls in all

6 of the 7 Hyundai IONIQ recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 6 recalls

Top concerns

  • Wheel nuts not tightened to correct specification
  • Hybrid warning lamp eliminated on instrument cluster may indicate thermal damage to power relay assembly and power cable
  • Coolant may leak into electric power control unit

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

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    No clear edge over the Hyundai IONIQ on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    50,561 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.5%

    No clear edge over the Hyundai IONIQ on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,314 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    MG 3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.1%

    No clear edge over the Hyundai IONIQ on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,383 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Fiat 500

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.9%

    No clear edge over the Hyundai IONIQ on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
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 IONIQ across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly less often than typical for this age. It has the 3rd lowest fail rate of 10 Hyundai models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 8,438 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 IONIQ ever sold: 52,978 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 8,438 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.