2011 Hyundai I20 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 63,059 MOT tests analysed for the 2011 Hyundai I20, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 76.6% was in line with the average for superminis of a similar age (76.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.2% in the 150k+ group versus 12.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.3% | 8,415 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.2% | 7,038 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.0% | 5,029 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.5% | 4,106 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.7% | 2,957 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.2% | 1,366 |
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 | 4,822 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 3,030 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,949 |
| 4 | Ball joint dust cover | 2,758 |
| 5 | Washers | 2,584 |
| 6 | Wipers | 2,158 |
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 | 36.7% | 23,131 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.8% | 16,880 |
| 3 | Suspension | 24.0% | 15,154 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 8,094 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.7% | 6,733 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.3% | 3,311 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 3,239 | 12.8% |
| 30-60k | 17,233 | 19.0% |
| 60-90k | 24,181 | 24.3% |
| 90-120k | 13,038 | 27.9% |
| 120-150k | 4,064 | 29.2% |
| 150k+ | 1,291 | 30.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 57,861 | 23.1% |
| Diesel | 5,198 | 27.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,068 | 21.5% |
| 2022 | 13,024 | 22.2% |
| 2023 | 12,877 | 23.9% |
| 2024 | 12,488 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 11,602 | 24.6% |
What to check before buying a 2011 I20
Before buying a 2011 Hyundai I20, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (8.0% 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 2011 Hyundai I20s pass their MOT?
76.6% of the 63,059 2011 Hyundai I20 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Hyundai I20?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.3% of tests, followed by brakes (11.2%).
Does the 2011 I20 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.8% in the 0-30k band to 30.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 63,059 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.