Used car guide

2008 Hyundai i10: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Hyundai i10 first registered in 2008: we looked at the 14,036 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

14,036MOTs of 2008 cars, done in 2023–2025
56%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
4,400typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for coil springs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Hyundai i10?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Hyundai i10 than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Coil springs1.9× usual
    Hyundai i10
    22% All 2008 cars
    11.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 4.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Ball joint dust cover3.3× usual
    Hyundai i10
    14.7% All 2008 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 1.8% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes8× usual
    Hyundai i10
    6.4% All 2008 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Track rod ends2× usual
    Hyundai i10
    10.2% All 2008 cars
    5.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 2.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Braking performance1.7× usual
    Hyundai i10
    11.3% All 2008 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 2.7% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1.8% here, against 10.7% of all 2008 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 2% here, against 6.7% of all 2008 cars.

Common 2008 Hyundai i10 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Hyundai i10 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    52% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    39% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    38% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    34% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    12% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2008 Hyundai i10

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Hyundai i10

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Has the cambelt been changed, and is there an invoice?
  2. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2008 Hyundai i10 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2008 Hyundai i10 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the front strut mounts and bushes? (Flagged at MOT 8× as often on the 2008 Hyundai i10 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Hyundai i10?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Hyundai i10 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023240Tyres 21%
20224,722Tyres 23%
20217,639Tyres 27%
202010,145Tyres 23%
201953,902Tyres 22%
201862,601Tyres 26%
201770,458Brakes 28%
201665,600Brakes 29%
201566,265Tyres 30%
201468,369Brakes 31%
201361,224Tyres 30%
201260,127Tyres 32%
201151,013Brakes 34%
201056,229Brakes 39%
200956,919Suspension 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Hyundai i10 cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score