2019 Hyundai Kona — MOT failures & pass rate
38,719 MOT tests on the 2019 Hyundai Kona are in this dataset, and 92.0% of them passed. Small SUVs of a similar age fail at 8.8%, so the 2019 Kona sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.9%) and visibility (3.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 1,378 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2019 Kona fails 6.0% of the time in the 0-30k band and 9.1% at 120-150k, a spread of only 3.0 points.
Split by fuel, hybrid examples fail 2.1pp more often than electric ones (9.2% vs 7.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 9.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.9% | 1,523 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.6% | 1,388 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.0% | 776 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.9% | 724 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 185 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.3% | 121 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 1,378 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 865 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 591 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 574 |
| 5 | Washers | 290 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 141 |
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 | 23.4% | 9,058 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.4% | 4,810 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.3% | 2,448 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 1,114 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.5% | 593 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.6% | 216 |
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 | 21,430 | 6.0% |
| 30-60k | 14,890 | 9.9% |
| 60-90k | 2,044 | 13.2% |
| 90-120k | 261 | 11.5% |
| 120-150k | 66 | 9.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 32,080 | 7.9% |
| Electric | 3,699 | 7.1% |
| Hybrid | 2,719 | 9.2% |
| Diesel | 221 | 7.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 339 | 5.0% |
| 2022 | 9,449 | 5.9% |
| 2023 | 9,667 | 7.3% |
| 2024 | 9,554 | 8.9% |
| 2025 | 9,710 | 9.8% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Kona
On a 2019 Kona, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.9% 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.
- Visibility (3.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.0% 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 Konas pass their MOT?
92.0% of the 38,719 2019 Hyundai Kona MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Hyundai Kona?
Tyres, recorded in 3.9% of tests, followed by visibility (3.6%).
Does the 2019 Kona get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.0% in the 0-30k band to 9.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 38,719 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.