Used Hyundai i40 2012-present reliability

Some owners have complained about interior squeaks and rattles, so on your test drive find a stretch of rough road to try to identify any. Also, there are some cheap plastics used in the interior that might be showing signs of wear and tear, so have a good look around for any damage.

Check the alloys for any kerb damage, because higher-spec cars come with bigger 18in rims that are more susceptible to being damaged.

Diesel engines are fitted with a diesel particulate filter (DPF). To ensure that this can regenerate (meaning it burns off trapped soot), frequent motorway journeys are necessary because this process is only triggered when the exhaust is hot enough. Check how the previous owner has used the car if you are unsure, because lots of urban journeys will clog up the filter, potentially leading to an expensive repair bill.

Other potential problems with the DPF occur if it has been shut off partway through regeneration. The result is contamination of the oil system with fuel, leading to the oil level rising gradually over time. This can cause damage to the engine, so it’s worth checking the oil level or have the car inspected if you're unsure.

The Hyundai i40 finished in an impressive fourth place in our 2023 rundown of the most reliable used executive cars. With a score of 92.3%, it split the petrol and diesel BMW 3 Series models.

Hyundai performed well in our most reliable used car brands survey, too, with a 85.9% score delivering eighth place out of 30 manufacturers.