2011 Hyundai IX35 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Hyundai IX35 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Hyundai IX35 diesel than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
  Hyundai IX35

  16.3% All 2011 cars

  9.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.1% of all 2011 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 performance2.1× usual
  Hyundai IX35

  11.6% All 2011 cars

  5.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, 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.

• Brake pads1.6× usual
  Hyundai IX35

  15.6% All 2011 cars

  9.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 2.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.6× usual
  Hyundai IX35

  9.2% All 2011 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, 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.

• Ball joint1.8× usual
  Hyundai IX35

  10.7% All 2011 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 3.1% 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.

Common 2011 Hyundai IX35 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Hyundai IX35 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.

• 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
  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.

• Lights and electrics
  26% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  5% 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 IX35 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.

• Diesel fuel leak recall (built Sept to Nov 2011)

  Diesel, built Sept to Nov 2011

  Some diesels built 1 September to 2 November 2011 could leak fuel, shown by a diesel smell or loss of power.

  At the viewing: Sniff for diesel and ask a Hyundai dealer whether the recall was done.

  Source: What Car?: used Hyundai ix35 (2009-2015) reliability

• Seatbelt pre-tensioner recall (built Nov 2011 to June 2012)

  Built Nov 2011 to June 2012

  The driver's seatbelt pre-tensioner might not work in a crash on cars built 17 November 2011 to 8 June 2012.

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

  Source: What Car?: used Hyundai ix35 (2009-2015) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Hyundai IX35 diesel

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

1. Has the fuel leak recall been done?
2. Has the seatbelt recall been done?
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2011 Hyundai IX35 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2011 Hyundai IX35 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2011 Hyundai IX35 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?