2013 Hyundai i20 — MOT failures & pass rate
78,660 MOT tests on the 2013 Hyundai i20 are in this dataset, and 79.3% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail at 21.1%, so the 2013 i20 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.8% of all tests — 4.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, ball joint dust cover and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 5,617 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.0% in the 0-30k band and 31.8% in the 150k+ band, a 21.8-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.5pp more often than petrol ones (23.9% vs 20.5%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 27.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 16.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 10,817 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.9% | 6,979 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.8% | 5,339 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.0% | 4,693 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.1% | 3,226 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 1,674 |
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 | 5,617 |
| 2 | Ball joint dust cover | 4,990 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 4,280 |
| 4 | Washers | 3,133 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,900 |
| 6 | Wipers | 2,327 |
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 | 27.7% | 21,792 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.9% | 20,360 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.6% | 13,063 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.4% | 7,370 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.7% | 6,053 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.8% | 2,997 |
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 | 7,633 | 10.0% |
| 30-60k | 32,084 | 17.9% |
| 60-90k | 27,356 | 23.9% |
| 90-120k | 9,057 | 27.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,894 | 28.2% |
| 150k+ | 585 | 31.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 73,442 | 20.5% |
| Diesel | 5,207 | 23.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,500 | 16.8% |
| 2022 | 15,786 | 19.1% |
| 2023 | 15,984 | 21.3% |
| 2024 | 15,847 | 22.7% |
| 2025 | 15,543 | 23.5% |
What to check before buying a 2013 i20
On a 2013 i20, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.9% 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.
- Brakes (6.8% 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.
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 2013 Hyundai i20s pass their MOT?
79.3% of the 78,660 2013 Hyundai i20 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Hyundai i20?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by suspension (8.9%).
Does the 2013 i20 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.0% in the 0-30k band to 31.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 78,660 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.