2011 Hyundai i30 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Hyundai i30 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Hyundai i30 diesel than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Brake lights2.9× usual
  Hyundai i30

  11.6% All 2011 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 11.3%, against 3.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints3× usual
  Hyundai i30

  10.8% All 2011 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.4% of all 2011 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.

• Braking performance2.2× usual
  Hyundai i30

  12.1% All 2011 cars

  5.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.1% of all 2011 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.

• Number plate lights1.8× usual
  Hyundai i30

  13.7% All 2011 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 2.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Common 2011 Hyundai i30 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Hyundai i30 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  47% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  42% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  40% 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.

• Tyres
  36% 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.

• 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  6% 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.

Known faults on the 2011 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.

• Faulty tyre pressure sensors

  Cars with tyre sensors

  Tyre pressure sensors can wrongly warn that a tyre is over-inflated.

  At the viewing: Check the tyre pressures yourself if a warning shows.

  Source: What Car?: used Hyundai i30 (2007-2012) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 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 brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2011 Hyundai i30 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2011 Hyundai i30 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2011 Hyundai i30 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?