Hyundai i30 MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 106,874 MOT tests on the Hyundai i30 carried out in 2023. 34% failed at the first attempt, which is noticeably above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 7 in 10 i30s passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2007 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2019 models did best (88% passed, +2.0 points against the average for 4-year-old cars), while 2013 models fared worst (59%, −8.8 points). Tested cars had covered 72,772 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 14.4% of tests (slightly above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 8.0% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 106,874
- First-time pass rate
- 66%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −5.4 points
- Average mileage at test
- 72,772
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular i30?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
i30 MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 55 | 89% | 91% | −1.8 points | 28,665 |
| 2020 | 1,564 | 88% | 88% | +0.5 points | 25,763 |
| 2019 | 4,164 | 88% | 86% | +2.0 points | 29,753 |
| 2018 | 7,412 | 85% | 84% | +1.0 points | 40,293 |
| 2017 | 6,848 | 83% | 82% | +1.3 points | 49,168 |
| 2016 | 9,670 | 75% | 79% | −4.0 points | 58,823 |
| 2015 | 13,843 | 72% | 75% | −3.9 points | 66,801 |
| 2014 | 10,033 | 65% | 72% | −6.8 points | 74,594 |
| 2013 | 10,684 | 59% | 68% | −8.8 points | 82,179 |
| 2012 | 9,065 | 58% | 66% | −8.1 points | 89,550 |
| 2011 | 9,386 | 56% | 63% | −7.2 points | 86,557 |
| 2010 | 10,973 | 53% | 60% | −7.0 points | 90,554 |
| 2009 | 9,422 | 54% | 59% | −4.6 points | 89,916 |
| 2008 | 2,796 | 52% | 57% | −5.3 points | 105,025 |
| 2007 | 955 | 54% | 57% | −3.3 points | 102,735 |
Why the Hyundai i30 fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | i30 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 14.4% | 11.3% |
| Brakes | 11.8% | 6.8% |
| Suspension | 8.4% | 8.9% |
| Tyres | 7.1% | 6.3% |
| Steering | 5.6% | 1.8% |
| Visibility | 5.1% | 4.8% |
| Body and structure | 1.8% | 3.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.5% | 3.1% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.4% | 1.0% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.3% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working8.0%
- 2efficiency below requirements4.6%
- 3ball joint has excessive play4.4%
- 4ball joint excessively worn3.5%
- 5not working on dipped beam3.2%
- 6tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.1%
- 7less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
- 8inoperative on one side2.5%
- 9does not clear the windscreen effectively2.3%
- 10ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.1%
Common i30 MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used i30, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 18.0% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 11.4% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 9.6% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 9.5% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 5.7% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 4.9% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 4.0% |
| excessively binding | Brakes | 3.9% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 3.7% |
| incorrect colour | Lights and electrics | 3.2% |
Tips to help your i30 pass
Based on where i30s most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 14.4% of i30 tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 11.8% of i30 tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the i30 ULEZ compliant? See the Hyundai i30 ULEZ check, or view all Hyundai models.
Other Hyundai models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 106,874 first MOT tests of the Hyundai i30 carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 106,874 first MOT tests of the Hyundai i30.
What is the Hyundai i30 MOT failure rate?
In our data, 34% of 106,874 first MOT attempts on the Hyundai i30 ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Hyundai i30 fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (14.4% of tests), brakes (11.8% of tests), suspension (8.4% of tests).
Which i30 year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2019 cars performed best: 88% passed first time, +2.0 points against the average for 4-year-old cars. The weakest was 2013, at 59% (−8.8 points).
How many miles had a typical Hyundai i30 covered at its MOT?
The average was 72,772 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 28,665 miles and 2007 cars 102,735.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Hyundai i30?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 18.0% of tests, in the tyres area. 7.1% of i30s failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific i30's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 106,874 i30s in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 52% to 89% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
Check any i30's MOT history
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