2009 Hyundai I20 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 61,962 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Hyundai I20, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 76.5% was above the average for superminis of a similar age (73.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.9% in the 150k+ group versus 13.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 10,752 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.4% | 5,808 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.8% | 4,802 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.6% | 4,065 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.6% | 2,843 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.7% | 1,647 |
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 | 5,107 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 3,918 |
| 3 | Washers | 2,534 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,321 |
| 5 | Wipers | 2,279 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 2,213 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 35.0% | 21,671 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.4% | 16,946 |
| 3 | Suspension | 25.4% | 15,708 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 10,617 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.6% | 7,801 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 4,113 |
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 | 3,236 | 13.1% |
| 30-60k | 14,571 | 18.7% |
| 60-90k | 22,034 | 23.7% |
| 90-120k | 15,231 | 27.5% |
| 120-150k | 5,312 | 28.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,563 | 30.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 57,378 | 23.3% |
| Diesel | 4,584 | 26.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,493 | 21.9% |
| 2022 | 13,224 | 22.9% |
| 2023 | 12,643 | 23.7% |
| 2024 | 11,860 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 10,742 | 25.0% |
What to check before buying a 2009 I20
Before buying a 2009 Hyundai I20, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.4% 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.
- Suspension (7.8% 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.
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 2009 Hyundai I20s pass their MOT?
76.5% of the 61,962 2009 Hyundai I20 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Hyundai I20?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.3% of tests, followed by brakes (9.4%).
Does the 2009 I20 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.1% in the 0-30k band to 30.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 61,962 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.