Hyundai i40: what fails at MOT
26,000 MOT tests on the Hyundai i40 in 2024, counted. 26.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
26.7% of Hyundai i40 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 25.2%, so the i40 is about average for its age.
It fails most often on brakes (6.2% of tests), lights and electrics (5.6% of tests) and tyres (5.1% of tests). It fails on brakes and steering more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 663 | 17.0% | 13.4% | 61,500 39,800 to 84,100 |
| 2018 | 1,563 | 16.4% | 15.6% | 69,700 48,800 to 96,600 |
| 2017 | 3,269 | 18.5% | 18.2% | 71,600 54,600 to 96,000 |
| 2016 | 4,447 | 21.1% | 21.3% | 81,900 62,800 to 108,100 |
| 2015 | 4,406 | 25.0% | 24.4% | 87,300 68,500 to 113,200 |
| 2014 | 4,281 | 31.1% | 27.7% | 96,100 74,500 to 122,300 |
| 2013 | 3,342 | 33.7% | 30.6% | 105,800 85,100 to 130,000 |
| 2012 | 3,660 | 35.1% | 33.4% | 108,400 86,300 to 132,700 |
| 2011 | 625 | 39.8% | 36.1% | 111,900 91,200 to 134,000 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Hyundai i40 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | i40 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes More than most | 6.2% | 3.9% |
| Lights and electrics | 5.6% | 6.3% |
| Tyres | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Suspension Less than most | 3.8% | 5.3% |
| Steering More than most | 3.7% | 1.2% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.3% | 2.7% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.2% | 1.7% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 0.7% | 1.6% |
The parts that fail most
- Brake pads3.1%
- Track rod end3.0%
- Tyre2.9%
- Headlamp2.5%
- Tyre tread2.0%
- Footbrake1.9%
- Headlamp aim1.6%
- Washers1.2%
- Wipers1.1%
- Number plate light1.0%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.9%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.7%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.0%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.9%
- Footbrake: excessively binding1.3%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.1%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.0%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
- Tyre pressure warning system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative0.8%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.8%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge15.0%
- Brake pads: wearing thin8.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.0%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material3.3%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive3.2%
- Footbrake: binding but not excessively2.9%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement2.4%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Hyundai i40's own MOT record
Looking at a i40? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.