2008 Hyundai i20 — MOT failures & pass rate
612 MOT tests on the 2008 Hyundai i20 are in this dataset, and 79.7% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 27.0% of the time, so this is 6.8pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.4% of all tests — 6.7 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, washers and stop lamp — position lamp alone was recorded 48 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.7% in the 30-60k band and 22.2% in the 120-150k band, a 8.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 33.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 15.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 88 |
| 2 | Visibility | 7.7% | 47 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.5% | 46 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.2% | 44 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.6% | 22 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.6% | 16 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 48 |
| 2 | Washers | 36 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 30 |
| 4 | Wipers | 27 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 26 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 19 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 33.0% | 202 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.6% | 181 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.5% | 162 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.6% | 126 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.8% | 78 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.9% | 36 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 117 | 13.7% |
| 60-90k | 241 | 23.2% |
| 90-120k | 195 | 21.5% |
| 120-150k | 36 | 22.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 132 | 15.9% |
| 2022 | 130 | 16.2% |
| 2023 | 138 | 26.1% |
| 2024 | 116 | 21.6% |
| 2025 | 96 | 21.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 i20
On a 2008 i20, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (7.7% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Suspension (7.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2008 Hyundai i20s pass their MOT?
79.7% of the 612 2008 Hyundai i20 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Hyundai i20?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by visibility (7.7%).
Does the 2008 i20 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.7% in the 30-60k band to 22.2% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 612 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.