Hyundai I20 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Hyundai I20 car check
Is the Hyundai I20 reliable? We analysed 1,488,641 real MOT tests across 136,037 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Hyundai I20? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Hyundai I20 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Hyundai I20.
Hyundai I20 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Hyundai I20. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Hyundai I20 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Hyundai I20 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Hyundai I20 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Hyundai I20 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Hyundai I20 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Hyundai I20 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Hyundai I20 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Hyundai I20 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Hyundai I20 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Hyundai I20 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 420 | 90.0% | 14,126 | 25,517 | 38,924 |
| 2020 | 14,570 | 90.4% | 15,591 | 24,217 | 35,678 |
| 2019 | 35,992 | 89.8% | 17,091 | 26,492 | 38,967 |
| 2018 | 52,997 | 88.5% | 19,139 | 30,079 | 44,777 |
| 2017 | 88,632 | 87.5% | 22,590 | 34,653 | 50,757 |
| 2016 | 116,896 | 86.6% | 24,142 | 37,433 | 55,091 |
| 2015 | 126,660 | 85.7% | 26,701 | 41,343 | 60,751 |
| 2014 | 153,111 | 81.2% | 27,559 | 42,657 | 62,144 |
| 2013 | 173,375 | 77.3% | 29,606 | 46,025 | 66,537 |
| 2012 | 150,127 | 76.3% | 30,889 | 48,775 | 70,613 |
| 2011 | 167,140 | 77.1% | 33,932 | 54,045 | 78,126 |
| 2010 | 191,022 | 76.9% | 33,445 | 54,272 | 78,894 |
| 2009 | 208,652 | 76.0% | 33,085 | 54,818 | 80,764 |
| 2008 | 2,488 | 78.0% | 34,308 | 57,335 | 83,410 |
How Long Does a Hyundai I20 Last?
Based on 136,037 Hyundai I20 vehicles on UK roads.
Hyundai I20 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Hyundai I20 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Hyundai I20
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.4% MOT pass rate from 14,570 tests
76.0% MOT pass rate from 208,652 tests
The best year to buy a used Hyundai I20 is 2020, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.4% across 14,570 tests. The 2009 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Hyundai I20 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai I20 THIS CAR | 80.2% | 1,488,641 | 45,118 mi | 17 yrs |
| Hyundai I10 | 80.4% | 2,829,935 | 35,978 mi | 18 yrs |
| Hyundai I30 | 76.5% | 1,479,391 | 57,858 mi | 19 yrs |
| Hyundai Getz | 73% | 1,126,487 | 53,185 mi | 24 yrs |
| Skoda Yeti | 84.4% | 844,079 | 52,202 mi | 17 yrs |
Compared to the Hyundai I10 (80.4% pass rate) and the Hyundai I30 (76.5% pass rate), the Hyundai I20 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Hyundai I20 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Hyundai I20Should you buy a used Hyundai I20?
The Hyundai I20 has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.2% across 1,488,641 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common failure point is windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively with 6,256 recorded occurrences. Check for this on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Hyundai I20 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Hyundai I20 owner drives around 5,035 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Hyundai I20 models stay on UK roads for around 17 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.