2016 Hyundai i20 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Hyundai i20 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Hyundai i20 diesel than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Steering rack inner joints5.3× usual
  Hyundai i20

  3.2% All 2016 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  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 performance2× usual
  Hyundai i20

  4.7% All 2016 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.8% of all 2016 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.

• Link ball joint covers4× usual
  Hyundai i20

  2% All 2016 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.3% of all 2016 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.

• Washers1.9× usual
  Hyundai i20

  3.3% All 2016 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.7% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

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

Common 2016 Hyundai i20 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Hyundai i20 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  31% 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.

• Brakes
  28% 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
  12% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Suspension
  9% 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.

• Steering
  4% of testsRough price £100–£450

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Known faults on the 2016 Hyundai i20 diesel

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.

• eCall recall

  Some cars

  About 1,900 cars were recalled because the VIN might not be stored correctly in the eCall emergency-call unit. Otherwise What Car? and Auto Express report little trouble.

  At the viewing: Ask a Hyundai dealer whether the recall was done.

  Source: What Car?: used Hyundai i20 (2015-2020) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Hyundai i20 diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.3× as often on the 2016 Hyundai i20 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2016 Hyundai i20 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2016 Hyundai i20 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?