Used car guide

2008 Hyundai i30 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Hyundai i30 first registered in 2008 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 2,942 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,942MOTs of 2008 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
49%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
7,400typical miles a year
4.5×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Hyundai i30 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Hyundai i30 diesel than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints4.5× usual
    Hyundai i30
    18.7% All 2008 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.9%, against 1.6% 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.

  • Track rod ends3.7× usual
    Hyundai i30
    18.7% All 2008 cars
    5.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.1%, 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 performance2.5× usual
    Hyundai i30
    16.3% All 2008 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, 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.

  • Ball joint2.5× usual
    Hyundai i30
    15.2% All 2008 cars
    6.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 3.2% 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.7× usual
    Hyundai i30
    10.1% All 2008 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2008 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.

Better than most

Exhaust system: 1.7% here, against 8.6% of all 2008 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 0.7% here, against 6.6% of all 2008 cars.

Common 2008 Hyundai i30 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Hyundai i30 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    66% 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
    50% 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
    38% 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.

  • Steering
    13% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% 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 i30 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Hyundai i30 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 anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.5× as often on the 2008 Hyundai i30 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2008 Hyundai i30 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2008 Hyundai i30 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Hyundai i30?

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 i30 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
20221,099Tyres 22%
20212,559Tyres 25%
20204,502Tyres 26%
201912,296Tyres 28%
201821,882Tyres 32%
201720,184Tyres 31%
201628,418Tyres 32%
201540,671Tyres 33%
201429,347Brakes 34%
201331,163Suspension 38%
201226,160Suspension 44%
201126,551Suspension 43%
201030,484Suspension 52%
200925,512Suspension 54%
20072,518Suspension 59%

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 i30 cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score