Hyundai i30 PD (2017-2024): known problems and buying guide

Built: 2016–2018
Median price: €10,799
Listings: 244
Running cost per month: €407
Power: 120 PS (88 kW)
Reliability: 3/5
DIY: 2/5

A reasonable buy if the recall work is done. Check the DCT pull-off, the diesel filter and the EGR before you pay.

Updated 27 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
1.0 T-GDI, 120 PS, 6-speed manual	€407	€9,990	55	Petrol	G3LC	Manual (6)	2016–2018

At a glance

The 1.0 and 1.5 T-GDI petrols and the 1.6 CRDi diesel are the main engines. The dual-clutch gearbox (DCT) and the diesel's filter, EGR valve and injectors cause most reported faults.
Reliability: 3/5, because the DCT and the diesel emissions parts fail often enough to matter.
DIY: 2/5, because DCT, filter, EGR and recall work need a workshop. Battery and brake checks are simple.
Prefer: a manual petrol car with full service history and the recall work done.
Avoid: a DCT that judders when pulling away from cold, and a diesel with a filter warning.

Engines and gearboxes

1.4 MPI (G4LC) and 1.5 MPI (G4LG): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
1.0 T-GDI 3-cylinder (G3LC, G3LF, G3LE, G3LH): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
1.4 T-GDI 140 PS (G4LD, to 2020): no fault confirmed. Offered with the 7-speed DCT.
1.5 T-GDI 48V (G4LK, 2020 on): no fault confirmed, including the 48V system. The 48V battery sits under the boot floor and cuts boot space (Auto Zeitung).
2.0 T-GDI i30 N (G4KH): no fault confirmed in the sources read. The DCT pressure recall is in the Recalls table.
1.6 hybrid (G4FY, 2026): no source covers faults yet.
1.6 CRDi diesel (D4FB to 2018, D4FE 2017 on): filter, dual mass flywheel, EGR valve and injector faults below. Hyundai dropped this engine in 2022 (Auto Zeitung).
6-speed manual: no fault confirmed in the sources read. RAC found no manual gearbox faults in its owner survey.
6-speed iMT (automated, 48V cars): no fault confirmed. Auto Zeitung says the clutch "takes getting used to".
7-speed dry DCT: judder and clutch wear, see DCT judder and clutch wear.
6-speed DCT: no fault confirmed in the sources read.
8-speed wet DCT (i30 N): pressure recall, see Recalls. No other fault confirmed.

Known issues

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
DCT judder and clutch wear	7-speed dry DCT (1.4 T-GDI 140 PS named)	Not stated; clutch wears at mid mileage	No confirmed price
Diesel filter clogging	1.6 CRDi diesel (D4FB, D4FE)	Not stated; short trips	No confirmed price
Dual mass flywheel wear	1.6 CRDi diesel	Not stated	No confirmed price
EGR valve contamination	1.6 CRDi diesel	Not stated	No confirmed price
Injector wear	1.6 CRDi diesel	High mileage, no figure	No confirmed price
Brake discs and pads	All	Not stated; from the second German MOT (HU)	No confirmed price

Before you buy

On a DCT car, drive slowly in traffic from cold and pull away from a stop. Judder, jerking or a delay is a bad sign. Ask for the gearbox oil change record and any software update. A scanner is needed to read gearbox fault codes.
On a diesel, check for a DPF warning light and ask for the filter regeneration history. A car that fails to regenerate on a longer run needs a filter check. A scanner is needed to read the regeneration data.
On a diesel, press the clutch and listen at idle. Vibration or a rattle can mean a worn flywheel. Ask whether the flywheel or clutch has been replaced.
Look through the wheel spokes for grooves or a sharp lip on the brake discs. Read the last inspection report, because brakes often fail the TÜV inspection.
On a diesel, a hard cold start, rough idle or high fuel use points to injector or EGR wear. A scanner should show no misfire or EGR codes. Ask for proof of cleaning.
Enter the VIN on Hyundai's recall page and in the KBA or ADAC recall databases. Ask the seller for any open campaign.

Running costs

Operational	€158
Workshop	€110
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€142
Total per month	€410
New-car depreciation (not included)	€64

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Market

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings: 244
25th percentile: €9,200
Median price: €10,799
75th percentile: €12,490
Median mileage: 106,300 km
Median first registration: 2017
Dealer share: 69.7%
Price at 100,000 km: €11,110

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.

In detail

DCT judder and clutch wear

The 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DCT) uses dry clutches. At low speed, mainly from cold, it can judder, jerk or hesitate. Gears can also engage late and the car can vibrate. An owner quoted by the RAC had the DCT lose drive at low speed, which needed a software fix. A worn clutch pack needs replacing. Clutch wear comes at mid mileage; no figure is given. WheelStreet says the Kia Ceed, which shares this gearbox, shows the same judder.

Sources: RAC: i30 Fastback review, gebrauchtwagenberater.de: i30 III problems, WHEELSTREET: Hyundai i30 problems, WHEELSTREET: Kia Ceed worth buying

Diesel filter clogging

The diesel particulate filter (DPF) traps soot and burns it off on longer runs. Short trips and city driving stop the burn-off, so the filter clogs. Signs are power loss, smoke and a check-engine light. A scan shows the filter state and regeneration history. No mileage is stated.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de: i30 III problems, WHEELSTREET: Hyundai i30 problems, WHEELSTREET: Kia Ceed problems

Dual mass flywheel wear

The dual-mass flywheel sits between the engine and the clutch and damps vibration. When it wears, the car vibrates and the clutch pedal makes a noise. Both the i30 sources and the Kia Ceed article name it on the 1.6 CRDi.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de: i30 III problems, WHEELSTREET: Hyundai i30 problems, WHEELSTREET: Kia Ceed worth buying

EGR valve contamination

The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve feeds some exhaust back into the engine to cut emissions. It gets dirty and sticks. Rough running, lack of pull and a check-engine light are the signs. No mileage is stated.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de: i30 III problems, WHEELSTREET: Hyundai i30 problems, WHEELSTREET: Kia Ceed worth buying

Injector wear

The fuel injectors wear at high mileage. A hard cold start, rough running and higher fuel use are the signs. The Kia Ceed article gives poor fuel quality as a cause. No mileage figure is given.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de: i30 III problems, WHEELSTREET: Kia Ceed worth buying, WHEELSTREET: Kia Ceed problems

Brake discs and pads

Brakes cause too many defects in the German TÜV inspection results for the i30. Discs wear more than average for the PD from its second German MOT (HU) on. Auto Zeitung also finds worn brakes more often than average. The fix is new discs and pads. No mileage is stated.

Sources: AUTO BILD: i30 faults, AUTO BILD: TÜV report 2026, Auto Zeitung: i30 used buying guide, ADAC: i30 used car report (PDF)

Recalls

Country	Code	Years	What is done
Germany (KBA number, per car-recalls.eu)	KBA 013459 (manufacturer 21DC03)	Diesel built October 2018 to July 2020	Oil supply can fail, so the brake booster can fail and the engine can be damaged. Workshop removes the oil strainer and checks the tandem pump.
Germany (KBA number, per car-recalls.eu)	KBA 012715 (manufacturer 21DC10)	i30 N built 2021-2022	Electric oil pump not checked correctly, so the DCT can lose pressure suddenly. Workshop updates the transmission software.
Germany and UK (ADAC, gebrauchtwagenberater.de, RAC)	81C095 (number from gebrauchtwagenberater.de)	2018 builds (UK press: built September to November 2018)	Sunroof anti-pinch can fail or be disabled. Dealer replaces the electric motor if needed.

Australian recalls for fuel pumps and the i30 N transmission are cross-check only. No European recall is confirmed for them in the sources read.

Maintenance

Diesel: drive on longer runs now and then so the filter can burn off soot. Short trips are what clog it.
DCT: ask for the gearbox oil change record and any software updates.
Warranty: five years in Europe (ADAC; RAC).