2016 Hyundai i30 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Hyundai i30 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Hyundai i30 diesel than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Brake lights3.6× usual
  Hyundai i30

  5.8% All 2016 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 1.3% of all 2016 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
  Hyundai i30

  8.7% All 2016 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.9% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Braking performance2.4× usual
  Hyundai i30

  5.6% All 2016 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, 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.

• Headlights2.8× usual
  Hyundai i30

  3.9% All 2016 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.3% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Common 2016 Hyundai i30 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Hyundai i30 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  33% 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
  31% 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.

• Suspension
  16% 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
  16% 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
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2016 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.

• Mixed reliability

  All engines

  Owners report either trouble-free cars or a string of faults, some from the factory, and it ranked low in a 2016 reliability survey.

  At the viewing: Look for a full service history and test every electrical item.

  Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai i30 (Mk2, 2012-2017) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 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 3.6× as often on the 2016 Hyundai i30 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2016 Hyundai i30 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2016 Hyundai i30 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?