2021 Hyundai Kona MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 86.2% of Hyundai Konas first used in 2021 passed their MOT first time, against 87.2% for all cars first used in 2021. Across 33,955 Kona first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) and lamps and electrical equipment.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Hyundai Konas first used in 2021 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2021 Hyundai Kona MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Konas first used in 2021 against all cars first used in 2021 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Kona figure was 1.0 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2021 Kona | All cars first used 2021 | Kona first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | fewer than 500 tests | 82.9% | 14 |
| 2022 | fewer than 500 tests | 89.9% | 268 |
| 2023 | 93.0% | 90.8% | 846 |
| 2024 | 87.1% | 87.6% | 16,710 |
| 2025 | 86.2% | 87.2% | 16,399 |
Common 2021 Hyundai Kona MOT failures
Share of the 4,481 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 22.4% | 1,004 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 17.9% | 803 |
| Headlamp aim: too high | 17.1% | 768 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 10.8% | 482 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 10.5% | 472 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2021 Hyundai Kona before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
Common 2021 Hyundai Kona MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2021 Konas, as a share of all 33,955 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 11.2% | 3,807 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 8.3% | 2,831 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 3.6% | 1,213 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 2.5% | 848 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 2.4% | 819 |
Questions about the 2021 Hyundai Kona MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2021 Hyundai Kona?
In 2025, 86.2% of Konas first used in 2021 passed their MOT first time, against 87.2% for all cars first used in 2021. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2021 Kona most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 44.1% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (26.6%) and lamps and electrical equipment (25.4%). The single most common item was “Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively” (22.4%).
How often does a 2021 Hyundai Kona fail its MOT?
In 2025, 13.8% of first tests on Konas first used in 2021 did not pass first time: 10.2% failed, and a further 3.7% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 4,481 of 33,955 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2021 Hyundai Kona MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 11.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (8.3%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (3.6%), “Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords” (2.5%) and “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (2.4%).
Is a 2021 Hyundai Kona reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 93.0% in 2023 to 86.2% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2021
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
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Checking a specific 2021 Kona?
The numbers above cover every Kona first used in 2021 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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