Ford Focus vs Hyundai i30: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Ford Focus is the more reliable used buy: it passes its first MOT 3.7 percentage points more often than the Hyundai i30 once both are compared against what the national fleet scores at the same age. That comparison covers 103,779 real tests, not a survey.

MOT first-time pass rate

Counted from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test records. “vs age-matched” compares each model against what the national fleet scores at the same age — the only fair better-or-worse number, because an older fleet fails more whatever its build quality.

Model	Pass rate	Age-matched national	Difference	Tests
Ford Focus	74.7%	74.8%	-0.1	93,066
Hyundai i30	71.2%	75%	-3.8	10,713

Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Applies to Great Britain — Northern Ireland is tested by the DVA under a separate manual.

Ford Focus

Mk4, 2018–2025 · compact family hatch

The Mk4 Ford Focus (2018–2025) drives brilliantly, but the 1.0 EcoBoost wet belt remains the critical check — the design caused engine-destroying failures on the previous Mk3 generation, and while Mk4 belts are revised, they are still a wear item that must be inspected or changed at 60,000 miles or 7 years. The 1.5 EcoBlue diesel suffers oil dilution on short journeys. Best-buy: 1.0 EcoBoost 2021+ with documented belt evidence. Worst: early Mk4 (2018–2019) 1.0 EcoBoost with no belt history.

What goes wrong

1.0 EcoBoost wet-belt failurecritical
Loss of compression; check engine; belt debris in oil; in worst case complete engine destruction
All Mk4 1.0 EcoBoost — early cars (2018–2019) highest risk; belts revised on later builds · Belt should be inspected/changed at 60,000 miles or 7 years · Belt + tensioner + labour: £700–£1,100 preventatively. Engine rebuild after failure: £4,500–£7,000.
Check: Service history MUST show wet-belt change at correct interval. No record = walk away. Oil pan inspection at independent garage is the best confirmation.
1.5 EcoBlue diesel oil dilutionmajor
Engine oil level rising between services; oil smells of diesel
1.5 EcoBlue diesel, all years · Service interval reduction; in worst cases injector replacement £600–£1,200
Check: Dipstick check pre-purchase: if oil level above max line, oil dilution is occurring.
Rear suspension bushing wearminor
Knocking over rough surfaces; vague handling
All Mk4 · 75,000+ miles · £250–£450
Check: Rough-road portion of test drive.
SYNC 3 / SYNC 4 infotainment glitchesminor
Screen freezes; CarPlay disconnects; reboot needed
2018–2021 · Free at Ford dealer software update
Check: Test infotainment fully during inspection.

Typical asking price:: £11,000–£22,000 (2018–2025)
Real-world economy:: 44–51 mpg real-world for 1.0 EcoBoost 125PS
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2021, 2022, 2023
Years to avoid:: 2018, early 2019

Full Focus fault guide Used Fords

Hyundai i30

PD, 2017+ · compact family hatch

The PD Hyundai i30 (2017+) is one of the most reliable compact hatches in the UK. The 1.4 T-GDI turbopetrol has documented oil-pressure and injector issues before the 2020 facelift; the diesel 1.6 CRDi is solid. DCT (dual-clutch) on 1.4 T-GDI judders in low-speed traffic. Best-buy: 2020+ 1.6 CRDi or 1.0 T-GDI. Worst: 2018–2019 1.4 T-GDI DCT.

What goes wrong

1.4 T-GDI engine — oil pressure warningmajor
Oil pressure warning light on startup; engine noise at idle; low oil level despite no visible leak
2018–2019 1.4 T-GDI (before ECU calibration update) · ECU update free under warranty; if engine damage occurred: £2,500–£5,000
Check: Dipstick at viewing — check level and colour. Ask if oil pressure warning has ever been triggered. Service history must show Hyundai-stamp oil changes at 6,200 miles or 12-month intervals (whichever comes first). Avoid 1.4 T-GDI without confirmed ECU update.
7-speed DCT judder (1.4 T-GDI)moderate
Shudder when pulling away from a standstill in traffic; hesitation at low speeds; occasional "clunk" engaging Drive from neutral
2017–2019 DCT variants · DCT software update free at Hyundai dealer; fluid change £150–£220; mechatronic fault £800–£1,500
Check: Test drive in heavy stop-start urban conditions — not just an open road. DCT should engage cleanly. Any shudder requires DCT software check and fluid condition inspection.
1.6 CRDi diesel — DPF (short-trip urban)moderate
"DPF regenerating" warning; limp mode; reduced power
All 1.6 CRDi diesel variants · Usage-pattern-driven · £350–£650 forced regen; £1,400–£2,200 DPF replacement
Check: Ask seller about typical journey length. CRDi used exclusively for sub-6 miles school runs is a red flag. Avoid without evidence of regular 30-minute motorway runs.
TPMS sensor faultsminor
Tyre pressure warning despite correct inflation; sensor unresponsive after tyre change
All PD i30 · £80–£130 per sensor
Check: Check TPMS warning light on dash during inspection.

Typical asking price:: £7,000–£20,000 (2017–2023) (note i30 N Performance can exceed this)
Real-world economy:: 1.4 T-GDI: 36–44 mpg. 1.0 T-GDI: 39–47 mpg. 1.6 CRDi: 49–59 mpg
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Years to avoid:: 2018, 2019

Full i30 fault guide Used Hyundais

Which one suits you

Ford Focus

Good for: Driver-focused family buyers; commuters wanting small petrol; buyers who can verify wet-belt change documentation.

Less good for: Anyone considering a sub-£10k 1.0 EcoBoost without belt-change evidence.

Hyundai i30

Good for: UK families wanting a reliable, well-equipped compact hatch backed by Hyundai's 5-year warranty. The 1.6 CRDi diesel is the sweet spot for long-distance commuters; the 1.0 T-GDI for urban and suburban use.

Less good for: Buyers considering a pre-2020 1.4 T-GDI DCT without oil-pressure ECU update evidence; short-trip-only diesel buyers.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The Ford Focus. It passes its first MOT 3.7 percentage points more often than the Hyundai i30 once both are age-adjusted, across 103,779 DVSA-recorded tests.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Focus?

74.7% of Ford Focuss pass their MOT first time, from 93,066 tests in DVSA's records. The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of this model's age average 74.8% — so it runs 0.1 points worse than its age group.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Hyundai i30?

71.2% of Hyundai i30s pass their MOT first time, from 10,713 tests. Against the 75% that cars of its age average, it runs 3.8 points worse.

Which years should I avoid?

For the Ford Focus, Early Mk4 1.0 EcoBoost wet-belt failures were catastrophic when they occurred — £4,000+ engine rebuild on a £15k car. For the Hyundai i30, Early 1.4 T-GDI examples (2018–2019) showed the highest rate of oil pressure warning incidents and injector issues in Hyundai warranty data for the UK. The 7-speed wet DCT on these variants also had calibration issues causing low-speed judder in urban traffic — particularly frustrating for city commuters.

Which is cheaper to run?

The Ford Focus returns 44–51 mpg real-world for 1.0 EcoBoost 125PS in real UK driving; the Hyundai i30 returns 1.4 T-GDI: 36–44 mpg. 1.0 T-GDI: 39–47 mpg. 1.6 CRDi: 49–59 mpg. Vehicle tax: Focus — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).; i30 — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).. Insurance differs mainly by driver and postcode rather than by model, so treat any model-level insurance figure with caution.

MOT figures are counted from DVSA records and are the only measured statistic here. Prices, economy and tax bands are indicative and vary by specification, condition and where the car has lived. Last reviewed: 2026-08-14 / 2026-08-14.