Used car guide · 2008–2026

Hyundai i10 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Hyundai i10, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 709,489 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Hyundai i10

Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Hyundai i10 as a whole.

2,625registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Petrolfuel type
What to check on a 2026 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008

What usually goes wrong with a Hyundai i10?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

Common Hyundai i10 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Wipers

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Braking performance

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 4.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Brake lights

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 4.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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 bushes

    up to 8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

    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.

Hyundai i10 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2010 Hyundai i10 did best (64% passed first time, 4 points above all 2010 cars) and the 2022 did worst (84%, 5 points below all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202387%92% -5240 (small sample)
202284%89% -54,722
202184%87% -37,639
202087%87% +010,145
201983%85% -253,902
201882%83% -162,601
201782%80% +270,458
201680%77% +365,600
201577%74% +366,265
201472%70% +268,369
201365%67% -261,224
201264%64% +060,127
201165%62% +351,013
201064%60% +456,229
200960%59% +156,919
200856%57% -114,036

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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. Has the gear cable been adjusted?
  3. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the Hyundai i10 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the Hyundai i10 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 4.2× as often on the Hyundai i10 as on other cars the same age.)
  6. 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score