2012 Hyundai I40 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Hyundai I40 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Hyundai I40 petrol than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Rigid brake pipes2.6× usual
  Hyundai I40

  13.2% All 2012 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Track rod ends2.5× usual
  Hyundai I40

  10.7% All 2012 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.2% of all 2012 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.

• Exhaust system2.2× usual
  Hyundai I40

  10.9% All 2012 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Steering rack11× usual
  Hyundai I40

  5.5% All 2012 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.3× usual
  Hyundai I40

  7% All 2012 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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.

Common 2012 Hyundai I40 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Hyundai I40 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  40% 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
  37% 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
  32% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  22% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  13% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

• Steering
  11% 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 2012 Hyundai I40 petrol

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.

• Footwell water leak

  All engines

  Some cars leak into the passenger front footwell because of a broken seal.

  At the viewing: Feel the passenger-side carpet for damp.

  Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai i40 review

• Mirror motors, sat nav and steering wheel wear

  All engines

  Door mirror motors fail (the whole mirror has to be replaced), the sat nav can fail after an update, and the steering wheel covering can peel.

  At the viewing: Fold and adjust both mirrors, test the sat nav and look at the steering wheel.

  Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai i40 review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Hyundai I40 petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2012 Hyundai I40 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2012 Hyundai I40 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2012 Hyundai I40 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?