Hyundai

Hyundai I30 (2016)

10,202 real MOT outcomes analysed • 83.6% first-time pass rate

2016 Hyundai I30

CarHunch analysed 10,202 real MOT records for the 2016 Hyundai I30. 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 Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2016 Hyundai i30 passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 83.6%, which is solid, but here's the concern: 37% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is well above acceptable and suggests structural or safety issues worth investigating on any used example you're considering. Petrol versions perform noticeably better than diesels (85.4% vs 82.5% pass rate), so if you have a choice between the two, the petrol is the safer bet.

At 52,000 miles median for an eight-year-old car, these i30s are running lower than expected, which is encouraging for longevity. The average car still racks up 1.51 failures per MOT cycle and 8.6 advisories, pointing to recurring wear items and minor issues rather than catastrophic problems—typical for the age. Before committing to a purchase, get a pre-buy inspection that specifically flags any history of dangerous defects, and factor in budget for suspension and brake work.

The 2016 Hyundai I30 has a decent first-time pass rate (83.6%), 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
83.6%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
37%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
1.51
Over 8.1 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
53k
Middle half: 40k–68k
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 8.6 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 10,202 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 10,202 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 45.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Brake wear 23.8%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front 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.
Other issues 14.9%
Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 10,202 Hyundai I30 cars.

UK

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 3 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

85.5%
Petrol
3,779 vehicles
82.5%
Diesel
6,423 vehicles

Before you buy a 2016 Hyundai I30

Based on MOT data from 10,202 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 37% 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 ClickMechanic
  • 📄 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 carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (63%) 6,423 82.5% 1.6
Petrol (37%) 3,779 85.5% 1.35

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%
70
Gold 0%
38
Green 0%
12

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 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.

52,673
typical
39,926
low mileage
68,086
high mileage

Half of all 2016 Hyundai I30 vehicles fall between 39,926 and 68,086 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 39,926 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.
39,926–68,086 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Hyundai I30s sit.
Over 91,916 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Hyundai I30 — Still on the Road

Almost all 2016 Hyundai I30s are still on the road.

Strong survival — 9,109 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 92% of the peak.

9,860 9,109 2019 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* 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

8.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.51
Avg failures per vehicle
8.6
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Hyundai I30: All I30 years → Which year to buy? →
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Or browse all models: Hyundai →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2016 Hyundai I30 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing