2019 Hyundai i20 — MOT failures & pass rate
31,941 MOT tests on the 2019 Hyundai i20 are in this dataset, and 93.0% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 10.0% of the time, so this is 3.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in visibility, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (4.1%) and tyres (2.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and washers — wipers alone was recorded 1,067 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 4.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 16.8% once past 90-120k — 3.5× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 19.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 2.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 9.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 4.1% | 1,319 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.8% | 893 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 735 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.8% | 587 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.3% | 97 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 63 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 1,067 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 578 |
| 3 | Washers | 526 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 389 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 323 |
| 6 | Side repeaters | 134 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.3% | 6,164 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.9% | 2,829 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.3% | 1,680 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.3% | 1,059 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.0% | 635 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 280 |
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 | 19,344 | 4.8% |
| 30-60k | 10,987 | 10.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,430 | 13.3% |
| 90-120k | 149 | 16.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 244 | 2.1% |
| 2022 | 7,830 | 4.4% |
| 2023 | 7,923 | 6.2% |
| 2024 | 7,865 | 8.0% |
| 2025 | 8,079 | 9.6% |
What to check before buying a 2019 i20
On a 2019 i20, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (4.1% 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.
- Tyres (2.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (2.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2019 Hyundai i20s pass their MOT?
93.0% of the 31,941 2019 Hyundai i20 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Hyundai i20?
Visibility, recorded in 4.1% of tests, followed by tyres (2.8%).
Does the 2019 i20 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.8% in the 0-30k band to 16.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 31,941 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.