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Hyundai i30 vs Toyota Corolla: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Toyota Corolla does better at its MOT: measured against cars of the same age, it comes out 7.8 percentage points ahead of the Hyundai i30 on first-time MOT passes. That comparison covers 23,842 real tests across every generation on the road, not a survey. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure. The MOT checks safety and emissions items, not the engine, clutch or gearbox, so this is one measure of how each car holds up rather than a full reliability verdict; the common faults below cover the rest.

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.

Hyundai i30
Pass rate71.2%
Age-matched national75.0%
Difference-3.8
Tests10,713
Toyota Corolla
Pass rate84.6%
Age-matched national80.5%
Difference+4.0
Tests13,129

These figures count every generation still on the road, not only the one described below: mostly Hyundai i30s registered 2008–2019 and Toyota Corollas registered 2002–2023.

Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a first-time pass; DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. The difference is worked out before rounding, so it can be 0.1 away from the two rounded figures beside it.

Hyundai i30

PD, 2017+ · compact family hatch

The PD Hyundai i30 (2017+) is one of the most reliable compact hatches in the UK. Owners report oil-pressure and injector issues on the 1.4 T-GDI turbopetrol 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 should show oil changes at Hyundai UK's petrol interval of 1 year or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. Avoid 1.4 T-GDI without confirmed ECU update.
  • 7-speed dry-clutch 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:
£4,790–£18,490, median £7,995 (middle 80% and median, cars on Autoza on 29 October 2026)
Fuel 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. A car registered from April 2017 with a list price over £40,000 when new adds the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 (£640 in all). 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
Used Hyundai i30s for saleFull i30 fault guideUsed Hyundais

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Toyota Corolla

E210, 2019+ · compact hybrid hatch and saloon

The E210 Toyota Corolla Hybrid (2019+) has a strong reliability record in the UK. Owner-reported concerns are minor: rear shock corrosion in coastal areas and Touch 2 infotainment lag. Two DVSA safety recalls cover some 2019–2022 builds, so check by registration. Best-buy: any year. Worst: none.

What goes wrong

  • Safety recall R/2024/463recall
    Brake actuator Skid control ECU reprogram on Certain Toyota Corolla 24SD-146
    31,809 vehicles of this model (DVSA’s figures added up) · built between 16 January 2023 and 5 November 2024
    Large recall — 31,809 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.
  • Safety recall R/2025/270recall
    Combination Meter Reprogramming on Multiple Models
    30,141 vehicles of this model (DVSA’s figures added up) · built between 19 August 2022 and 6 May 2025
    Large recall — 30,141 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.
  • Rear shock corrosion (coastal areas)minor
    Rust around shock mount; advisory on MOT
    All E210 in coastal areas (e.g. the west coast, Scotland, the South West) · Time-driven, typically 5+ years · £200–£350
    Check: Underbody inspection at viewing — bring a torch.
  • Touch 2 infotainment lagminor
    Slow response to taps; CarPlay reconnect needed
    2019–2022 (Touch 2) · No fix — software limitation. Toyota Smart Connect (post-2023) is significantly better.
    Check: Use infotainment for 10+ minutes during test drive — assess if you can live with the lag.
Typical asking price:
£9,995–£15,995, median £13,850 (middle 80% and median, cars on Autoza on 29 October 2026)
Fuel economy:
55–63 mpg official WLTP combined for the 1.8 Hybrid, 50–58 mpg for the 2.0 Hybrid (Toyota UK specification sheet, hatchback).
Vehicle tax:
£200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025 (2026/27 rates). A car registered from April 2017 that listed at over £40,000 new (options included) also pays the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 — it is the price when new that counts, not what you pay for it used.
Best years:
2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Used Toyota Corollas for saleFull Corolla fault guideUsed Toyotas

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Which one suits you

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.

Toyota Corolla

Good for: Anyone prioritising reliability, lowest running costs, and fuss-free ownership. Ideal for new drivers and high-mileage commuters.

Less good for: Buyers wanting performance or premium-cabin feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the Hyundai i30 or the Toyota Corolla?
On the MOT measure, the Toyota Corolla: measured against cars of the same age, it comes out 7.8 percentage points ahead of the Hyundai i30 on first-time MOT passes, across 23,842 DVSA-recorded tests covering every generation on the road. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure. The MOT checks safety and emissions items, not the engine, clutch or gearbox, so this is one measure of how each car holds up rather than a full reliability verdict.
How do the MOT pass rates of the Hyundai i30 and the Toyota Corolla compare?
71.2% of Hyundai i30s pass their MOT first time (10,713 tests in DVSA's records) and 84.6% of Toyota Corollas pass their MOT first time (13,129 tests). The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of the Hyundai i30's age average 75.0% and cars of the Toyota Corolla's age 80.5% — so the Hyundai i30 runs 3.8 points worse than its age group and the Toyota Corolla runs 4.0 points better than its own. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure.
Which years of the Hyundai i30 and Toyota Corolla should I avoid?
Hyundai i30: Early 1.4 T-GDI examples (2018–2019) are the ones owners most often report oil pressure warnings and injector issues on. How often it happens is not known. The 7-speed dry-clutch DCT on these variants also had calibration issues causing low-speed judder in urban traffic — particularly frustrating for city commuters. Toyota Corolla: No standout problem year — the most cited owner-reported issues are surface-level (infotainment, body corrosion in coastal areas) rather than mechanical. The safety recalls below cover particular build windows rather than a whole year, so check the car you are looking at by registration.
Is the Hyundai i30 or the Toyota Corolla cheaper to run?
On fuel it depends on the engine. Hyundai i30: 1.4 T-GDI: 36–44 mpg. 1.0 T-GDI: 39–47 mpg. 1.6 CRDi: 49–59 mpg. Toyota Corolla: 55–63 mpg official WLTP combined for the 1.8 Hybrid, 50–58 mpg for the 2.0 Hybrid (Toyota UK specification sheet, hatchback). WLTP figures are official lab results; your own driving can return a different figure. For cars registered from April 2017, vehicle tax works the same way for both: the £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included, plus the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 on a car that listed at over £40,000 new — the price when new, not what you pay for it used. Any Hyundai i30 or Toyota Corolla registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017 pays a CO2 band instead, 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: 2026-10-06 / 2026-10-06.