2012 Hyundai I30 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 59,770 MOT tests analysed for the 2012 Hyundai I30, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and steering. Its pass rate of 73.2% was below the average for small family cars of a similar age (78.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.8% in the 150k+ group versus 13.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 7,444 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.8% | 7,075 |
| 3 | Steering | 9.8% | 5,841 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.4% | 5,021 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.0% | 2,988 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.0% | 2,965 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 6,211 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 4,381 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 2,682 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 2,291 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 2,037 |
| 6 | Parking brake performance | 1,968 |
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 | 27.7% | 16,547 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.6% | 14,133 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.8% | 12,418 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.6% | 6,925 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 5,909 |
| 6 | Steering | 7.5% | 4,515 |
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 | 1,205 | 13.0% |
| 30-60k | 10,267 | 19.6% |
| 60-90k | 21,336 | 26.7% |
| 90-120k | 16,249 | 29.8% |
| 120-150k | 7,095 | 31.0% |
| 150k+ | 3,607 | 30.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 35,654 | 28.1% |
| Petrol | 24,116 | 24.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,206 | 24.6% |
| 2022 | 12,212 | 26.2% |
| 2023 | 12,163 | 27.0% |
| 2024 | 11,842 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 11,347 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 2012 I30
Before buying a 2012 Hyundai I30, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (12.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.8% 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.
- Steering (9.8% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
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 2012 Hyundai I30s pass their MOT?
73.2% of the 59,770 2012 Hyundai I30 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Hyundai I30?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.4% of tests, followed by brakes (11.8%).
Does the 2012 I30 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.0% in the 0-30k band to 30.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 59,770 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.