2021 Hyundai Kona electric: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the electric Hyundai Kona first registered in 2021 (electric cars only): we looked at the 14,326 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 Hyundai Kona electric?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 Hyundai Kona electric than on all cars registered in 2021.
- Headlight aim2.3× usualHyundai Kona3.4% All 2021 cars1.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.5% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £20–£60 our estimateAt the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.
Brake pads: 0.4% here, against 6% of all 2021 cars.
Common 2021 Hyundai Kona electric MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2021 Hyundai Kona electric MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres25% 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.
- Brakes6% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors5% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Lights and electrics5% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Seats and seatbelts2% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
- Suspension1% 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.
Known faults on the 2021 Hyundai Kona electric
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.
- Kona Electric
Battery recalls (Kona Electric)
The Kona Electric was recalled for a management fault that could damage the battery (2020) and possible short circuits in the battery (2021).
At the viewing: Ask a Hyundai dealer to confirm both battery recalls were done.
Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai Kona (Mk1, 2017 on) review
- Petrol and diesel
Airbag, brake pipe and eCall recalls
Petrol and diesel cars were recalled for airbags (2019), damaged brake pipes (2019) and eCall (2021).
At the viewing: Ask for proof the recalls were done.
Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai Kona (Mk1, 2017 on) review
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Hyundai Kona electric
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Have the battery recalls been done?
- Any recent work on the headlight aim? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2021 Hyundai Kona electric as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Hyundai Kona?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Hyundai Kona compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 986 | Tyres 22% |
| 2022 | 14,628 | Tyres 24% |
| 2020 | 35,271 | Tyres 27% |
| 2019 | 26,394 | Tyres 29% |
| 2018 | 19,740 | Tyres 29% |
| 2017 | 1,241 | Tyres 29% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Hyundai Kona cars first registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score