Used car guide · 2017–2026

Hyundai Kona common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Hyundai Kona, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 126,921 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Hyundai Kona

Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Hyundai Kona as a whole.

10,604registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Petrol hybridmost common fuel (also electric)
What to check on a 2026 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017

What usually goes wrong with a Hyundai Kona?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Battery recalls (Kona Electric)

    Cars registered 2017–2023 · 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

  • Cold-start rattle (1.0 T-GDi)

    Cars registered 2017–2023 · 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

    Cars registered 2017–2023 · 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

Common Hyundai Kona MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 4.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2020 and 2021.

    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.

  • Wipers

    up to 1.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019 and 2020.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

Hybrid

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 5.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Tyre condition

    up to 1.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021 and 2022.

    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.

Electric

  • Headlight aim

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021 and 2022.

    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.

Hyundai Kona MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2017 Hyundai Kona did best (87% passed first time, 7 points above all 2017 cars) and the 2023 did worst (89%, 3 points below all 2023 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202389%92% -3986
202287%89% -214,628
202187%87% +028,661
202088%87% +135,271
201987%85% +226,394
201887%83% +419,740
201787%80% +71,241

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Hyundai Kona

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

  1. Have the battery recalls been done?
  2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the Hyundai Kona as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the headlight aim? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the Hyundai Kona as on other cars the same age.)
  4. 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score