2008 Hyundai I30 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 18,468 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Hyundai I30, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 71.3% was below the average for small family cars of a similar age (73.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 33.9% in the 150k+ group versus 14.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 3,215 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.6% | 2,516 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.3% | 2,455 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.3% | 1,342 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.7% | 1,229 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.5% | 835 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 1,381 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 1,340 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 1,224 |
| 4 | Linkage ball joints | 1,170 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 1,147 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 1,026 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 43.2% | 7,980 |
| 2 | Brakes | 35.4% | 6,543 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.8% | 5,504 |
| 4 | Other defects | 18.0% | 3,331 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 2,574 |
| 6 | Steering | 10.2% | 1,882 |
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 | 167 | 14.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,791 | 20.4% |
| 60-90k | 4,622 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 6,050 | 30.2% |
| 120-150k | 3,822 | 31.1% |
| 150k+ | 2,004 | 33.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 10,758 | 27.7% |
| Diesel | 7,710 | 30.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,393 | 27.6% |
| 2022 | 4,084 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 3,783 | 28.8% |
| 2024 | 3,340 | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 2,868 | 29.6% |
What to check before buying a 2008 I30
Before buying a 2008 Hyundai I30, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.6% 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 (13.3% 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 2008 Hyundai I30s pass their MOT?
71.3% of the 18,468 2008 Hyundai I30 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Hyundai I30?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.4% of tests, followed by suspension (13.6%).
Does the 2008 I30 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.4% in the 0-30k band to 33.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,468 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.