Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2021 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 2021 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 2021 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.

Is the 2021 Hyundai I20 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 143 vehicles, the 2021 Hyundai I20 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 93%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2021 Hyundai I20?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2021 Hyundai I20 are: Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (20.6% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (20.2% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (15.9% 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 2021 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 (2021)

143 real MOT outcomes analysed • 93% first-time pass rate

2021 Hyundai I20

CarHunch analysed 143 real MOT records for the 2021 Hyundai I20. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2021 Hyundai i20 is a genuinely reliable proposition, with a 93% first-time pass rate that sits well above the UK average of 80%—and dangerous defects are rare at just 2.1% of vehicles ever flagged. Petrol variants (which make up the vast majority of the sample) perform consistently at 92.7%, so there's no reliability split to worry about here.

At an average mileage of 26,047 miles for a three-year-old car, these i20s are running right in line with typical use, suggesting owners aren't pushing them hard. The low failure count (0.24 per vehicle on average) and moderate advisory rate (1.8 per vehicle, mostly minor wear items) tell you this is a car that simply gets on with the job—so when shopping, focus your inspection on service history and whether scheduled maintenance has been kept up rather than bracing for hidden structural gremlins.

We have limited data for the 2021 Hyundai I20 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

93%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

2.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.24

Over 2.5 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

25k

Middle half: 15k–35k

For context

These stats describe 143 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.

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What tends to go wrong

Across 143 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 20.6%

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

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

Brake wear 9.4%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …

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

Other issues 6%

Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view

Wipers & washers 5%

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively · Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively · Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2021.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 143 Hyundai I20 cars.

Before you buy a 2021 Hyundai I20

Based on MOT data from 143 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 2.1% 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 (90%)	129	92.7%	0.25

Mileage Distribution

Most 2021 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.

25,172

typical

14,825

low mileage

34,915

high mileage

Half of all 2021 Hyundai I20 vehicles fall between 14,825 and 34,915 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 14,825 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.

✓ 14,825–34,915 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2021 Hyundai I20s sit.

⚠ Over 47,135 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2021 Hyundai I20 — Still on the Road

Almost all 2021 Hyundai I20s are still on the road.

Strong survival — 138 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2023–2025.

MOT History Averages

2.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.24

Avg failures per vehicle

1.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Or browse all models: Hyundai →

Compare with another model

See how the 2021 Hyundai I20 stacks up against a rival.

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