At a Glance
The Hyundai I20 has 28 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the Mk1 (2008-2014) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 1.1M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Hyundai I20 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Hyundai I20 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Hyundai I20 Generations
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Most Common Hyundai I20 MOT Failures
Every reason Hyundai I20 vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 12.50% |
| 2 | Tyre condition | 9.53% |
| 3 | Brake performance below minimum | 7.69% |
| 4 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 6.73% |
| 5 | Stop lamp not working | 5.64% |
| 6 | Brake pads or linings worn | 5.59% |
| 7 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.60% |
| 8 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 4.40% |
| 9 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 4.22% |
| 10 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 3.25% |
| 11 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.11% |
| 12 | Ball joint dust cover split | 3.01% |
| 13 | Headlamp fault | 2.79% |
| 14 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 2.56% |
| 15 | Front lamp not working | 2.50% |
| 16 | Position lamp not working | 2.46% |
| 17 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.12% |
| 18 | Driveshaft fault | 1.25% |
| 19 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.21% |
| 20 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.18% |
| 21 | Track rod end worn | 0.99% |
| 22 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.85% |
| 23 | Indicator fault | 0.85% |
| 24 | Steering rack fault | 0.74% |
| 25 | Exhaust system fault | 0.54% |
| 26 | Airbag warning light on | 0.51% |
| 27 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.49% |
| 28 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.46% |
| 29 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.44% |
| 30 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.43% |
| 31 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 0.42% |
| 32 | Headlamp aim defect | 0.41% |
| 33 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.40% |
| 34 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.39% |
| 35 | Parking brake condition | 0.39% |
| 36 | Horn not working | 0.31% |
| 37 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.31% |
| 38 | Seat belt condition | 0.29% |
| 39 | ABS fault | 0.29% |
| 40 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.28% |
| 41 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.26% |
| 42 | Brake lever fault | 0.23% |
| 43 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.21% |
| 44 | Engine oil leak | 0.20% |
| 45 | Brake pedal fault | 0.17% |
| 46 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.16% |
| 47 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.15% |
| 48 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.14% |
| 49 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.14% |
| 50 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.13% |
| 51 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.13% |
| 52 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.11% |
| 53 | Rear lamp not working | 0.10% |
| 54 | Brake caliper fault | 0.09% |
| 55 | Fog lamp not working | 0.09% |
| 56 | Front suspension fault | 0.08% |
| 57 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.08% |
| 58 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.08% |
| 59 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.07% |
| 60 | Front passenger door fault | 0.07% |
| 61 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.07% |
| 62 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.06% |
| 63 | Drag link end worn | 0.06% |
| 64 | Driver door fault | 0.05% |
| 65 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.05% |
| 66 | Steering arm worn | 0.05% |
| 67 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.05% |
| 68 | Passenger seat fault | 0.04% |
| 69 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.04% |
| 70 | Steering free play excessive | 0.03% |
| 71 | Driver seat fault | 0.03% |
| 72 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 73 | Steering lock fault | 0.03% |
| 74 | Propshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 75 | Transmission oil leak | 0.03% |
| 76 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.02% |
| 77 | Electric power steering fault | 0.02% |
| 78 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 79 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.02% |
| 80 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.02% |
| 81 | Chassis condition | 0.02% |
| 82 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.02% |
| 83 | Electrical switch fault | 0.02% |
| 84 | Electronic braking system fault | 0.02% |
| 85 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 86 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Brake fluid leak | 0.02% |
| 88 | Universal joint worn | 0.02% |
| 89 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 90 | Rear suspension fault | 0.01% |
| 91 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 92 | Indicator warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 93 | Daytime running lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 94 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.01% |
| 95 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.01% |
| 96 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 97 | Transmission drive belt fault | 0.01% |
| 98 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 99 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 100 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 101 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 102 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 103 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 104 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 105 | Steering operation fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 107 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 110 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 113 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 115 | Body security fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 117 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 118 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 119 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 128 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 130 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Handbrake cable fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 135 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 137 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | <0.01% |
| 138 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 140 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 144 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 145 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 146 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 150 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 152 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 153 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 156 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 158 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 159 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 161 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 166 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 167 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 167 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Hyundai I20 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Hyundai I20, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Hyundai I20 problems?
Based on analysis of 1.1M Hyundai I20 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 28 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Position lamp not working". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Hyundai I20 generation has the most problems?
The Hyundai I20 Mk1 (2008-2014) (2008–2014) has the highest number of identified common problems (29). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Hyundai I20?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Hyundai I20 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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