2022 Hyundai Kona hybrid: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2022 Hyundai Kona hybrid?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2022 Hyundai Kona hybrid than on all cars registered in 2022.

• Tyre condition1.7× usual
  Hyundai Kona

  16.5% All 2022 cars

  9.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 3.8% of all 2022 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints5.5× usual
  Hyundai Kona

  3.3% All 2022 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.1% of all 2022 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.

• Headlight aim2.1× usual
  Hyundai Kona

  3.1% All 2022 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.5% of all 2022 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

Common 2022 Hyundai Kona hybrid MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2022 Hyundai Kona hybrid MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  24% 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
  5% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  5% 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
  4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Suspension
  4% 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2022 Hyundai Kona hybrid

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.

• Cold-start rattle (1.0 T-GDi)

  1.0 T-GDi petrol

  The 1.0 petrol can rattle from cold as the camshaft chain touches the cam cover. Fixes are hard to find.

  At the viewing: Start it from cold and listen.

  Source: Auto Express: used Hyundai Kona (Mk1, 2017 on) review

• Airbag, brake pipe and eCall recalls

  Petrol and diesel

  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 2022 Hyundai Kona hybrid

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

1. Any recent work on the tyre condition? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2022 Hyundai Kona hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.5× as often on the 2022 Hyundai Kona hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the headlight aim? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2022 Hyundai Kona hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?