2013 Hyundai i40 — MOT failures & pass rate
18,193 MOT tests on the 2013 Hyundai i40 are in this dataset, and 77.1% of them passed. Against large family cars of a similar age (20.1% fail rate), the 2013 i40 comes out 2.8pp worse. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and steering.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (8.8%) and lighting & signalling (8.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, brake pads and headlamp — track rod end alone was recorded 1,323 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.7% versus 14.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 30.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 21.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 8.8% | 1,601 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 8.4% | 1,535 |
| 3 | Steering | 7.4% | 1,346 |
| 4 | Suspension | 6.0% | 1,095 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.3% | 961 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 736 |
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 | 1,323 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 789 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 687 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 617 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 565 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 524 |
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 | 30.9% | 5,631 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.2% | 5,140 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.5% | 2,647 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.8% | 2,322 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 1,606 |
| 6 | Steering | 7.9% | 1,445 |
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 | 116 | 14.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,803 | 18.4% |
| 60-90k | 5,194 | 21.8% |
| 90-120k | 5,939 | 24.2% |
| 120-150k | 3,264 | 24.5% |
| 150k+ | 1,876 | 23.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 18,076 | 22.9% |
| Petrol | 117 | 17.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,954 | 21.4% |
| 2022 | 3,851 | 21.7% |
| 2023 | 3,722 | 22.8% |
| 2024 | 3,486 | 24.3% |
| 2025 | 3,180 | 24.8% |
What to check before buying a 2013 i40
On a 2013 i40, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (8.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (8.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (7.4% 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 2013 Hyundai i40s pass their MOT?
77.1% of the 18,193 2013 Hyundai i40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Hyundai i40?
Brakes, recorded in 8.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (8.4%).
Does the 2013 i40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.7% in the 0-30k band to 23.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,193 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.