Comparison · family hatchbacks

Ford Focus vs Hyundai i30: which is more reliable?

The Ford Focus does better at the MOT, with a score of 99 against 92 for the Hyundai i30, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 997,298 real MOT tests in 2024.

Ford Focus

99About average
MOT tests893,948

Hyundai i30

92Below average
MOT tests103,350

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testFord FocusHyundai i30
3–5 years
100About average
101About average
6–9 years
103Above average
96Below average
10–14 years
96Below average
88Well below average
15+ years
97Below average
91Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearFord FocusHyundai i30
202188.3%85.4%
202087.8%85.5%
201983.7%87.3%
201883.4%84.4%
201782.5%80.2%
201679.4%71.0%
201575.6%68.8%
201467.4%62.3%
201363.9%57.8%
201263.3%55.9%
201159.1%54.3%
201057.2%52.5%
200956.8%53.7%
200855.6%49.9%
200757.4%50.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaFord FocusHyundai i30
Lights & electrics21.021.1
Brakes7.521.1
Suspension12.611.3
Tyres8.88.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.65.5
Steering1.56.2
Emissions & leaks4.62.1
Body & chassis3.62.1

Ford Focus: top failures

  1. Position lamp: not working3.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.8%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.7%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.0%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.5%

Hyundai i30: top failures

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.9%
  2. Stop lamp: not working4.4%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.8%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.1%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
  6. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.3%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Ford Focus or the Hyundai i30?

The Ford Focus does better at the MOT, with a score of 99 against 92 for the Hyundai i30, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Ford Focus and Hyundai i30 can be compared?

Both were tested for 15 registration years (2007–2021). The Ford Focus had the higher pass rate in 13 of them and the Hyundai i30 in 2.

What fails most on each?

Ford Focus: position lamp: not working; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Hyundai i30: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; stop lamp: not working.