Common problems by part
Hyundai i40 exhaust, emissions and leaks problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 13,789 MOT tests · Updated
At 9 years, 1.5 in 100 MOT tests of the Hyundai i40 failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 2.4 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 13,789 MOT tests) [1].
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- Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: fails less often than all class 4 vehicles the same age (0.5–0.7×) (all test years), 207 MOT tests with a fail
- By age: seen at 10 ages from 4 to 13 years, 85,833 MOT tests
- Most common fail: Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction, 0.8 per 100 MOT tests
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
1.5 fails per 100 MOT tests at 9 years, against 2.4 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 9 (all test years). The Hyundai i40 fails less often here.
Why it matters
An exhaust, emissions and leaks fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.
What to check
Start the car from cold and look for smoke at the exhaust, listen for blowing joints, and look under the engine and gearbox for fresh oil or fluid drips.
Hyundai i40 exhaust, emissions and leaks fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1,715 | 0.9 | 0.7 |
| 5 | 4,350 | 1.1 | 1.0 |
| 6 | 8,005 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| 7 | 11,129 | 1.4 | 1.7 |
| 8 | 13,563 | 1.5 | 2.1 |
| 9 | 13,789 | 1.5 | 2.4 |
| 10 | 13,520 | 1.5 | 2.8 |
| 11 | 10,158 | 1.5 | 3.2 |
| 12 | 6,222 | 1.9 | 3.7 |
| 13 | 3,382 | 2.5 | 4.3 |
All first-use years of the Hyundai i40 pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.
What fails in the exhaust, emissions and leaks at 9 years
Fails
- Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction: 0.8 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.6. Diagnose engine warning light: estimated £39–£78 (0.5–1 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts) Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunction MOT fail
Advisories (not fails)
- Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive: 4.0 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 2.5. Oil leak, but not excessive MOT advisory
Diagnose engine warning light cost
Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.
Buying a Hyundai i40? Check that exact car before the viewing.
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- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
How to check on a test drive
Start the car from cold and look for smoke at the exhaust, listen for blowing joints, and look under the engine and gearbox for fresh oil or fluid drips.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive.
Check one Hyundai i40, not the average
The figures here describe Hyundai i40 cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check a Hyundai i40's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.
Other Hyundai i40 problems
Exhaust, emissions and leaks on rival models
- BMW 3 Series exhaust, emissions and leaks problems: 0.8 per 100 MOT tests at 9 years, against 1.5 for the Hyundai i40 (132,585 MOT tests)
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class exhaust, emissions and leaks problems: 3.2 per 100 MOT tests at 9 years, against 1.5 for the Hyundai i40 (124,542 MOT tests)
- Vauxhall Insignia exhaust, emissions and leaks problems: 3.0 per 100 MOT tests at 9 years, against 1.5 for the Hyundai i40 (100,421 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the Hyundai i40 have more exhaust, emissions and leaks problems than other cars?
0.5 to 0.7 times the exhaust, emissions and leaks fail rate of all class 4 vehicles the same age at 9 years (all test years), from 13,789 MOT tests. The interval is clear of 0.8 in the same direction at 4 of the 10 ages seen (ages up to 18 with at least 100 MOT tests with a fail).
How common are Hyundai i40 exhaust, emissions and leaks problems?
1.5 in 100 MOT tests at 9 years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 2.4 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 13,789 MOT tests).
What is the most common Hyundai i40 exhaust, emissions and leaks fail?
0.8 in 100 MOT tests at 9 years: Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction (111 MOT tests with it).
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 85,833 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
- Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare