Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 Hyundai I20?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2009 Hyundai I20?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2009 Hyundai I20?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2009 Hyundai I20 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

42% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2009 Hyundai I20 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 12,834 vehicles, the 2009 Hyundai I20 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 77.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2009 Hyundai I20?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2009 Hyundai I20 are: Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (54.8% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (42.5% of vehicles), Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (42.3% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2009 Hyundai I20?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Hyundai I20 (2009)

12,834 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77.3% first-time pass rate

2009 Hyundai I20

CarHunch analysed 12,834 real MOT records for the 2009 Hyundai I20. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2009 Hyundai i20 passes its MOT slightly below the UK average at 77.3%, a gap that widens for diesel versions (74.3% pass rate), and nearly 43% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a genuinely high figure that should concern prospective buyers. Petrol models fare better at 77.6%, suggesting the diesel option carries extra reliability risk.

At 55,000 miles median, these 15-year-old cars are running relatively light, yet they're racking up an average of 3.85 failures and 21.3 advisories per test, indicating age-related wear is catching up fast. Before buying one, check its full MOT history for patterns in what's failing—suspension, brakes, and exhaust issues are common culprits on this generation—and factor in imminent repair costs if it's already showing multiple advisories.

The 2009 Hyundai I20 has a decent first-time pass rate (77.3%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

77.3%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

42.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.85

Over 16 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

55k

Middle half: 40k–72k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 21.3 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 12,834 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 12,834 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 54.8%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Tyre wear 42.5%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Other issues 32.5%

Oil leak, but not excessive

Lighting 23.9%

Nearside Front Position lamp not working · Offside Front Position lamp not working

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 12,834 Hyundai I20 cars.

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 3.3 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

77.6%

Petrol

11,699 vehicles

74.3%

Diesel

1,134 vehicles

Before you buy a 2009 Hyundai I20

Based on MOT data from 12,834 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 42.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (91%)	11,699	77.6%	3.82
Diesel (9%)	1,134	74.3%	4.1

Colour Breakdown

Based on 134,661 Hyundai I20 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 24.2%

32,613

Red 18.4%

24,805

Grey 15%

20,154

Blue 14.6%

19,704

Black 13%

17,483

Silver 12.6%

17,030

Green 1%

1,332

Brown 0.6%

855

Orange 0.5%

675

Gold 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Hyundai I20 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

55,104

typical

39,564

low mileage

71,697

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Hyundai I20 vehicles fall between 39,564 and 71,697 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 39,564 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 39,564–71,697 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Hyundai I20s sit.

⚠ Over 96,790 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Hyundai I20 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 65% of 2009 Hyundai I20s are still active.

8,078 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 65% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.85

Avg failures per vehicle

21.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Hyundai I20: All I20 years → Which year to buy? →

2008 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Or browse all models: Hyundai →

Compare with another model

See how the 2009 Hyundai I20 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing