HYUNDAI I20 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 9,367 MOT tests from 852 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every HYUNDAI I20 has the same fault.

HYUNDAI I20's have a very good reliability rating of 664/999. The score was calculated from the average of every HYUNDAI I20 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the HYUNDAI I20.

HYUNDAI I20 (example)

Check a Hyundai I20 before you buy

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	855/999Excellent	84,195 miles	5,353 vehicles
N/A	N/A	791/999Very good	84,510 miles	6,920 vehicles
N/A	N/A	765/999Very good	111,400 miles	9,118 vehicles
N/A	N/A	679/999Good	91,467 miles	675 vehicles
N/A	N/A	668/999Good	96,651 miles	9,722 vehicles
N/A	N/A	614/999Good	96,380 miles	9,798 vehicles
N/A	N/A	607/999Good	81,459 miles	709 vehicles
N/A	N/A	580/999Above average	108,710 miles	7,255 vehicles
N/A	N/A	551/999Above average	79,882 miles	517 vehicles
N/A	N/A	526/999Above average	76,775 miles	2,873 vehicles

How reliable is the HYUNDAI I20?

Based on 9,367 MOT tests from 852 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

852

MOT tests

9,367

Pass rate

79%

Median mileage

73,020 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every HYUNDAI I20 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 692 out of 999.

Common HYUNDAI I20 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,940 advisory comments and 76 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 483 advisory comments and 30 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 439 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 288 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 265 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 152 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Ball joint wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 107 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn or damaged ball joint. Track rod ends are counted with steering, not here.

What to inspect

Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT DUST COVER NO LONGER PREVENTS THE INGRESS OF DIRT (5.3.4 (B) (II))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 57 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

HYUNDAI I20 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2026	6	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	13	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	10	1	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	33	39	87.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2022	29	60	88.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2021	15	51	86.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2020	15	63	92.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2019	27	152	89.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	38	270	83.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2017	71	577	86.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2016	87	799	83.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	90	937	85.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	85	1083	76.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2013	96	1362	75.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2012	56	879	75.2%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2011	61	1005	76.3%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2010	56	984	76.7%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2009	55	1025	76.1%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used HYUNDAI I20

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Ball joint wear. Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Buying a HYUNDAI I20?

Common problems tell you what can affect HYUNDAI I20s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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