2012 Hyundai I40 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 21,337 MOT tests analysed for the 2012 Hyundai I40, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, steering and suspension. Its pass rate of 75.2% was below the average for cars of a similar age (79.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 26.4% in the 150k+ group versus 14.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 8.9% | 1,893 |
| 2 | Steering | 8.5% | 1,811 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.5% | 1,804 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.3% | 1,765 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.4% | 1,153 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.3% | 705 |
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 | 1,375 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 910 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 800 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 771 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 719 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 702 |
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 | 30.2% | 6,435 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.9% | 6,164 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.6% | 3,976 |
| 4 | Other defects | 13.3% | 2,839 |
| 5 | Steering | 10.9% | 2,333 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.2% | 1,958 |
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 | 153 | 14.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,723 | 20.5% |
| 60-90k | 5,803 | 24.3% |
| 90-120k | 7,130 | 25.9% |
| 120-150k | 4,074 | 25.1% |
| 150k+ | 2,451 | 26.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 20,054 | 24.7% |
| Petrol | 1,283 | 27.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,805 | 24.4% |
| 2022 | 4,567 | 24.1% |
| 2023 | 4,360 | 24.8% |
| 2024 | 3,967 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 3,638 | 26.4% |
What to check before buying a 2012 I40
Before buying a 2012 Hyundai I40, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 8.9% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (8.9% 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.
- Steering (8.5% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Suspension (8.5% 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 2012 Hyundai I40s pass their MOT?
75.2% of the 21,337 2012 Hyundai I40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Hyundai I40?
Brakes, recorded in 8.9% of tests, followed by steering (8.5%).
Does the 2012 I40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.4% in the 0-30k band to 26.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 21,337 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.