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Hyundai Kona reliability by build year

Coverage 2017-present2 named generationssmall SUVSUVPETROL / ELECTRICITY / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

Hyundai Kona built around 2018: about average at the MOT

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

Check a Hyundai Kona by number plate

Key figure

13% of MOT tests on Hyundai Konas 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 Konas built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Hyundai Kona'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

Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Kona's generation

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

Kona Mk2 (SX2)

Mk2 (SX2) (2023-present)

ELECTRICITYPETROLHYBRID ELECTRIC
Too new for MOT figures: first MOTs due from 2026View details →
Kona Mk1 (OS)

Mk1 (OS) (2017-2022)

Too close to call between ratings
ELECTRICITYDIESELPETROLHYBRID ELECTRIC

12.7% 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 4,806 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 Kona.

See every build year for the Hyundai Kona

By age

Hyundai Kona fail rate by age

This chart combines every Hyundai Kona 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
19,58412.0%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
17,83612.5%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
11,26012.7%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
9,00411.8%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
4,80612.7%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
17010.6%

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 7 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Hyundai Kona 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

2nd of 10

2nd lowest fail rate of 10 Hyundai models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the lowest third

Against other SUVs

24th of 89

24th lowest fail rate of 89 SUVs with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

12.7%

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 Konas

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

All generations of this modelEnough 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

    16.2%
    Advisory: 1,179Fail: 71 (6% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    14.4%
    Advisory: 738Fail: 167 (18% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.2%
    Advisory: 986Fail: 85 (8% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    9.9%
    Advisory: 663Fail: 6 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    2.8%
    Advisory: 103Fail: 63 (38% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,806 MOT tests on 7-year-old Hyundai Konas, 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 Konas notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres48%
  2. Other + Tyres18%
  3. Brakes + Other15%
  4. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers10%

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

Across 950 MOT tests on Hyundai Kona 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 Kona.

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

16 recalls in all

14 of the 16 Hyundai Kona recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 13 more

Top concerns

  • The airbag control unit may detect a crash signal and command deployment or non deployment of the airbag
  • The subject vehicles may experience a transmission malfunction resulting in a loss of drive.
  • Subject vehicles may experience a loss of coolant within the electronic power control unit.

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

Like-for-like

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs to compare

  1. 1

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.4%

    No clear edge over the Hyundai Kona on these figures.

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

    3,969 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 12.7% for the Hyundai Kona, both built around 2018.

    1,815 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Lexus NX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    2.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.4%

    Lower fail rate: 9.5%, against 12.7% for the Hyundai Kona, both built around 2018.

    4,706 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Porsche Macan

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.6%

    Lower fail rate: 8.7%, against 12.7% for the Hyundai Kona, both built around 2018.

    4,936 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 Kona across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has the 2nd lowest fail rate of 10 Hyundai models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 4,806 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 Kona ever sold: 62,660 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 4,806 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.