In 2025, 30,675 Hyundai Kona cars had a regular MOT in Great Britain. 86% passed first time, compared with 85% for all cars of the same ages, which makes the Kona about average. Adjusted for age, it ranks 116 of the 217 most-tested car models.
That comparison matters: older cars fail more often, so a raw pass rate flatters models that are mostly young. We compare each model against every car on the road at the same age.
Pass rate by age
At 3 years old, 87% of Konas passed first time (all cars that age: 88%). By 8 years, that figure is 84% (all cars: 78%). It beats the average car at every age with enough data, from 6 to 8 years.
Hyundai Kona All cars of that age
| Age | Tests | Kona passed first time | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 4,967 | 87% | 88% | 29,811 |
| 4 years | 5,564 | 86% | 87% | 41,617 |
| 5 years | 5,814 | 86% | 86% | 44,682 |
| 6 years | 6,962 | 87% | 84% | 41,730 |
| 7 years | 6,697 | 86% | 81% | 46,485 |
| 8 years | 420 | 84% | 78% | 49,258 |
What fails most on a Hyundai Kona
No single area stands out: the Kona fails on each part of the test at roughly the rate you would expect. It does comparatively well on suspension and body and structure.
Share of Kona tests failing on this area Average car
The six most common failure items
| Failure item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | Lights and electrics | 3.6% |
| A tyre seriously damaged | Tyres | 2.9% |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | Visibility | 2.9% |
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | Tyres | 2.4% |
| A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | Brakes | 1.6% |
| A tyre cords visible or damaged | Tyres | 1.4% |
What to check when buying a used Kona
Based on where the Kona fails more often than other cars, these are the checks worth making before you buy:
- Tyres: Check tread across the whole width (uneven wear hints at alignment or suspension faults), and look for cuts, bulges and mismatched brands. Repair guide
- Visibility: Check the windscreen for chips in the driver’s view, the wipers for smearing and the washers for working jets. Repair guide
- Brakes: Look through the wheels for lipped or scored discs, check the handbrake holds on a slope, and feel for pulling or vibration under firm braking. Repair guide
Then check the individual car: its own MOT history will show whether it follows the pattern. A car with repeated advisories in the same weak area is more likely to fail its next test.
Check a specific Kona
Enter the registration to see its full MOT history, mileage record and reliability score, compared with these figures.
Check a KonaFrequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for a Hyundai Kona?
In 2025, 86% of Hyundai Kona cars passed their MOT first time, across 30,675 tests. Cars of the same ages averaged 85%.
What do Hyundai Kona cars most often fail their MOT on?
The most common failure items were: the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements (3.6% of tests); a tyre seriously damaged (2.9% of tests); wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen (2.9% of tests).
Other Hyundai models
Hyundai i10 (71%), Hyundai i20 (71%), Hyundai Tucson (80%), Hyundai i30 (64%), Hyundai IX35 (64%), Hyundai Ioniq (86%). All Hyundai models
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 (class 4 normal tests; first-time pass means passed with no faults fixed at the test). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.