2011 Hyundai Ix35 — MOT failures & pass rate
34,368 MOT tests on the 2011 Hyundai Ix35 are in this dataset, and 74.1% of them passed. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (23.9% fail rate), the 2011 Ix35 comes out 1.9pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (13.2%) and lighting & signalling (12.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, tread depth and pins and bushes — position lamp alone was recorded 2,309 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.7% versus 12.7%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.8pp more often than petrol ones (26.0% vs 24.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 23.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.2% | 4,519 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 4,235 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.8% | 3,726 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.0% | 2,069 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 1,379 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.5% | 863 |
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 | 2,309 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 1,987 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 1,627 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 1,592 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 1,576 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 1,491 |
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 | 30.0% | 10,307 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.1% | 9,658 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.1% | 9,316 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.5% | 3,949 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 2,963 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.1% | 1,419 |
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 | 181 | 12.7% |
| 30-60k | 2,825 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 11,355 | 23.9% |
| 90-120k | 12,565 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 5,718 | 29.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,720 | 30.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 31,361 | 26.0% |
| Petrol | 3,007 | 24.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,108 | 23.6% |
| 2022 | 7,112 | 24.7% |
| 2023 | 7,039 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 6,804 | 27.5% |
| 2025 | 6,305 | 27.5% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Ix35
On a 2011 Ix35, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (13.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.8% 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 2011 Hyundai Ix35s pass their MOT?
74.1% of the 34,368 2011 Hyundai Ix35 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Hyundai Ix35?
Suspension, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.3%).
Does the 2011 Ix35 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.7% in the 0-30k band to 30.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 34,368 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.