Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 Hyundai I30?

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 I30?

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 I30?

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 I30 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

51% 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 I30 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 12,645 vehicles, the 2009 Hyundai I30 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75.4%, 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 I30?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2009 Hyundai I30 are: Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (70.9% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (62.8% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (51.4% 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 I30?

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 I30 (2009)

12,645 real MOT outcomes analysed • 75.4% first-time pass rate

2009 Hyundai I30

CarHunch analysed 12,645 real MOT records for the 2009 Hyundai I30. 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 i30 falls short of the UK average with a 75.4% first-time pass rate, and there's a serious red flag: over half of these vehicles (51.1%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is well above acceptable for a buyer considering one. Petrol models fare slightly better at 76% pass rate versus diesel at 73.9%, but the difference is marginal.

These cars are sitting around 60,000 miles on average for their age, which is reasonable, but they're racking up 4.2 failures per test and nearly 25 advisories—suggesting wear and potential repair costs are mounting. If you're buying one, factor in imminent spending on problem areas: request the full MOT history to see which systems keep failing, and budget for multiple repairs rather than hoping for a clean bill of health.

The 2009 Hyundai I30 has a decent first-time pass rate (75.4%), 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

75.4%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

51.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.22

Over 16.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

59k

Middle half: 44k–75k

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 24.9 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 12,645 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 12,645 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 70.9%

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

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

Tyre wear 51.4%

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

Other issues 32.5%

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened · Oil leak, but not excessive

Suspension & steering 30.3%

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded · Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded · Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

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 12,645 Hyundai I30 cars.

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 2.1 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

76%

Petrol

8,999 vehicles

73.9%

Diesel

3,639 vehicles

Before you buy a 2009 Hyundai I30

Based on MOT data from 12,645 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 51.1% 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 (71%)	8,999	76%	4.22
Diesel (29%)	3,639	73.9%	4.25

Colour Breakdown

Based on 124,819 Hyundai I30 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Grey 20.8%

25,929

Silver 18.9%

23,606

Black 18.5%

23,084

Blue 16.8%

21,030

White 14.9%

18,650

Red 9.2%

11,493

Beige 0.3%

388

Bronze 0.2%

275

Brown 0.2%

244

Orange 0.1%

Gold 0%

Green 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Hyundai I30 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.

59,296

typical

44,289

low mileage

75,284

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Hyundai I30 vehicles fall between 44,289 and 75,284 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 44,289 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.

✓ 44,289–75,284 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Hyundai I30s sit.

⚠ Over 101,633 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 I30 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 60% of 2009 Hyundai I30s are still active.

7,260 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 60% 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

16.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.22

Avg failures per vehicle

24.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Hyundai I30: All I30 years → Which year to buy? →

2007 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 I30 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing