Hyundai i20 — Buyer's Guide
Reliability, safety, running costs and what to check before you buy.
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Hyundai i20 overview
With 154,006 currently licensed in the UK, the Hyundai i20 is one of Britain's most popular cars.
Euro NCAP awarded the i20 4 stars in 2021, with 76% adult occupant and 82% child protection scores.
It has a 80.5% first-time MOT pass rate — above the UK national average of 72%. Common MOT failure areas include lighting, brakes, suspension.
Annual running costs are estimated at £2,976 for a typical 5-year-old example, breaking down to £248/month or 40p/mile.
NCAP Safety
2021
MOT Pass Rate
80.5%
120,000 tests
Monthly Cost
£248
est. annual total
New From
£26,000
Safety rating
Euro NCAP tested the i20 in 2021 and awarded it 4 out of 5 stars.
Adult Occupant
76%
Child Occupant
82%
Pedestrian
76%
Safety Assist
67%
Safety recalls
There are 3 known DVSA recalls affecting the Hyundai i20. Enter a registration number to check whether a specific vehicle is affected.
R/2025/272
The vehicle fuel pump may have an internal malfunction which may fail over time. In case of a fuel pump malfunction the instrument cluster warning light may illuminate and if ignored the vehicle may lose motive power.
Build dates: 2021-04-01 to 2023-01-31
R/2024/171
On affected vehicles they may experience a transmission malfunction resulting in a loss of drive
Build dates: 2023-03-28 to 2024-01-15
R/2021/014
The vehicle VIN information may not be registered correctly within the eCall unit.
Build dates: 2020-08-24 to 2020-12-07
Reliability & MOT
Based on 120,000 MOT tests, the i20 has a first-time pass rate of 80.5% — above the UK national average of 72%.
This is a positive sign for reliability. The i20 is less likely to have issues at MOT time than the average car on UK roads.
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Running costs
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Hyundai i20 are estimated at around £2,976 per year, or £248 per month.
Fuel
£1,201
/year
Road Tax
£195
/year
Depreciation
£1,050
/year
MOT
£55
/year
Estimated annual running costs based on available data. Excludes insurance, parking, and finance costs. Actual costs depend on your driving habits and circumstances.
Fuel economy
The i20 achieves a combined fuel economy of around 47.9 mpg (40.4 mpg urban, 43.5 mpg extra-urban).
| Variant | Fuel | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| I20 | PETROL | 47.9 mpg | 1.0L |
| I20 | PETROL/ELECTRIC | 54.3 mpg | 1.0L |
| I20 | DIESEL | 70.6 mpg | 1.1L |
| I20 | PETROL | 46.3 mpg | 1.2L |
| I20 | PETROL | 51.4 mpg | 1.4L |
| I20 | DIESEL | 76.3 mpg | 1.4L |
| I20 | PETROL | 47.1 mpg | 1.4L |
| I20 | PETROL | 40.4 mpg | 1.6L |
Depreciation
Starting from £26,000 new, a Hyundai i20 typically retains about 56% after 3 years and 46% after 5 years.
| Age | Retained | Est. Value | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 75% | £19,500 | −£6,500 |
| 2 years | 64% | £16,600 | −£9,400 |
| 3 years | 56% | £14,600 | −£11,400 |
| 4 years | 50% | £13,150 | −£12,850 |
| 5 years | 46% | £12,100 | −£13,900 |
| 6 years | 43% | £11,250 | −£14,750 |
| 7 years | 41% | £10,550 | −£15,450 |
| 8 years | 39% | £10,050 | −£15,950 |
| 9 years | 37% | £9,550 | −£16,450 |
| 10 years | 35% | £9,050 | −£16,950 |
How common is the i20?
There are currently 154,006 licensed and 3,527 SORN i20s in the UK (157,533 total). This makes it a very common vehicle on UK roads.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Hyundai i20 reliable?
The i20 has a 80.5% first-time MOT pass rate based on 120,000 tests — above the UK national average of 72%. This suggests good overall reliability.
How safe is the Hyundai i20?
Euro NCAP awarded the i20 4 out of 5 stars when tested in 2021. It scored 76% for adult occupant protection, 82% for child occupant protection, 76% for vulnerable road users, and 67% for safety assist features.
How much does a Hyundai i20 cost to run?
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old i20 are estimated at around £2,976 per year (£248/month). This includes fuel, road tax, depreciation, and MOT fees — but excludes insurance, servicing, and repairs.
Are there any recalls on the Hyundai i20?
There are 3 known safety recalls affecting the i20. These are issued by the DVSA when a safety defect is found. You can check if a specific vehicle is affected by entering its registration number.
How much does a new Hyundai i20 cost?
A new i20 starts from around £26,000. After 5 years, a typical example retains about 46% of its original value.
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