Hyundai Kona: what fails at MOT
68,000 MOT tests on the Hyundai Kona in 2024, counted. 12.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
12.1% of Hyundai Kona tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 12.3%, so the Kona is about average for its age.
It fails most often on tyres (3.2% of tests), wipers, washers and windscreen (2.3% of tests) and lights and electrics (1.8% of tests).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 25,964 | 12.1% | 10.9% | 22,900 15,300 to 32,800 |
| 2020 | 19,149 | 11.8% | 11.5% | 28,000 19,600 to 38,900 |
| 2019 | 12,904 | 12.7% | 13.4% | 31,700 22,800 to 42,300 |
| 2018 | 9,710 | 11.8% | 15.6% | 37,600 27,900 to 49,700 |
| 2017 | 622 | 12.4% | 18.2% | 42,000 32,400 to 54,700 |
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 Kona tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Kona | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 3.2% | 3.0% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.3% | 1.9% | |
| Lights and electrics | 1.8% | 2.0% | |
| Brakes | 1.1% | 1.4% | |
| Suspension | 0.3% | 0.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.2%
- Wipers1.9%
- Headlamp aim1.2%
- Tyre tread1.0%
- Brake pads0.6%
- Washers0.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes0.2%
- Headlamp0.2%
- Footbrake0.2%
- Brake test0.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.9%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.0%
- Headlamp aim: too high0.9%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.6%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn0.2%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.2%
- Tyre: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.2%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.2%
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 edge8.7%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.1%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.1%
- Nail in tyre1.5%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.4%
- Tyre: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement1.0%
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
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Hyundai Kona's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll 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.