2012 Hyundai IX35 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Hyundai IX35 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Hyundai IX35 petrol than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Braking performance2.5× usual
  Hyundai IX35

  12.1% All 2012 cars

  4.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 1.9% of all 2012 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 pads1.7× usual
  Hyundai IX35

  16.9% All 2012 cars

  9.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 2.3% of all 2012 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.

• Sidelights2.2× usual
  Hyundai IX35

  10.5% All 2012 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.2%, against 4.1% of all 2012 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.

• Side repeaters4× usual
  Hyundai IX35

  4.8% All 2012 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

Common 2012 Hyundai IX35 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Hyundai IX35 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  38% 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
  35% 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.

• Suspension
  32% 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
  29% 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
  10% 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.

• 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.

Known faults on the 2012 Hyundai IX35 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.

• 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 2012 Hyundai IX35 petrol

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

1. Has the seatbelt recall been done?
2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2012 Hyundai IX35 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2012 Hyundai IX35 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2012 Hyundai IX35 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?