2012 Hyundai Ix35 — MOT failures & pass rate
54,208 MOT tests on the 2012 Hyundai Ix35 are in this dataset, and 75.8% of them passed. That is 1.9 percentage points worse than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 22.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.1%) and suspension (10.9%) 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 coil spring — position lamp alone was recorded 3,825 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 29.8% versus 13.2%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 23.5% of the time against 24.3% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 30.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 21.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 6,579 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.9% | 5,887 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.8% | 5,298 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.9% | 3,202 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.9% | 2,092 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.5% | 1,348 |
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 | 3,825 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 3,018 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 2,721 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 2,140 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 1,973 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 1,843 |
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 | 30.2% | 16,362 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.8% | 15,071 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.6% | 11,694 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.3% | 6,658 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 4,774 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.2% | 2,276 |
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 | 570 | 13.2% |
| 30-60k | 7,508 | 17.5% |
| 60-90k | 21,391 | 22.8% |
| 90-120k | 17,477 | 26.9% |
| 120-150k | 5,773 | 29.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,482 | 29.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 45,503 | 24.3% |
| Petrol | 8,703 | 23.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,977 | 21.5% |
| 2022 | 10,975 | 22.6% |
| 2023 | 11,066 | 24.6% |
| 2024 | 10,839 | 26.0% |
| 2025 | 10,351 | 26.4% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Ix35
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.9% 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 (9.8% 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 2012 Hyundai Ix35s pass their MOT?
75.8% of the 54,208 2012 Hyundai Ix35 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Hyundai Ix35?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.1% of tests, followed by suspension (10.9%).
Does the 2012 Ix35 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.2% in the 0-30k band to 29.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 54,208 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.