IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2012 Hyundai i20 (PB)

The facelift sharpened the styling and cabin trim, but the used-car story stayed familiar: sensible petrols are easy to own, while steering and suspension wear decide whether a cheap car is still worth having.

What changed for 2012

  • •Facelifted PB models arrived in the UK
  • •Interior trim and equipment improved slightly

Common MOT watch-outs

  • !Front springs
  • !Lower-arm bushes
  • !Rear brake imbalance
3
Known Issues
0
Serious
2
Moderate
1
Minor

All Known Issues

DPF and EGR clogging on 1.4 CRDi

ModerateExhaust & Emissions

The diesel suits motorway use, but repeated short trips clog the EGR and DPF, leading to limp mode, poor economy and expensive catch-up work on cheap town cars.

Est. Repair Cost: £180–£900
Warning Signs:

DPF or engine warning light, Cooling fan running after shutdown, Flat performance, Frequent regeneration attempts

What to Inspect:
  • Ask how the car is used day to day
  • Look for EGR, DPF or injector invoices
  • Watch for smoke or uneven idle from cold
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Front springs, bushes and drop links wearing out

ModerateSuspension & Chassis

Age and rough UK roads catch the PB at the front axle. Broken spring ends, worn lower-arm bushes and noisy drop links are far more common than serious engine trouble.

Est. Repair Cost: £120–£340
Warning Signs:

Clonk over potholes, Uneven front tyre wear, Car sitting slightly low at one corner

What to Inspect:
  • Inspect the lower coils of the front springs
  • Listen over speed bumps with windows down
  • Read MOT history for repeat front suspension advisories
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

EPS coupling knock on later cars

MinorSteering

Later PB cars can develop the familiar Hyundai steering-column knock as the electric power-steering coupling wears, usually most obvious during parking or tight urban manoeuvres.

Est. Repair Cost: £100–£220
Warning Signs:

Knock through the steering wheel, Graunch or clack at parking speed, Slightly rubbery feel off centre

What to Inspect:
  • Rock the wheel gently left-right while stationary
  • Drive slowly over rough side streets
  • Check for invoices mentioning steering coupling replacement
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Buying Tips for 2012 Hyundai i20 (PB)

  • ✓A crisp manual shift and light clutch matter because many PB cars spent their life in town and feel tired long before the odometer looks scary
  • ✓Listen for steering-column knocks on parking manoeuvres, especially on facelift cars where EPS issues show up more often
  • ✓Diesel examples need evidence of regular longer trips rather than just annual servicing
  • ✓Check MOT history for repeated advisories on front springs, lower arms and rear brake imbalance
2010–20112013–2014
Check a 2012 Hyundai i20 (PB) by Registration