Comparison · small SUVs

Ford Ecosport vs Hyundai Kona: which is more reliable?

The Hyundai Kona does better at the MOT, with a score of 101 against 96 for the Ford Ecosport, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 146,252 real MOT tests in 2024.

Ford Ecosport

96Below average
MOT tests102,238

Hyundai Kona

101About average
MOT tests44,014

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testFord EcosportHyundai Kona
3–5 years
99About average
100About average
6–9 years
94Below average
106Above average
10–14 years
94Below average
–
15+ years––

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearFord EcosportHyundai Kona
202184.3%87.1%
202086.1%87.0%
201984.1%86.7%
201882.0%87.0%
201772.9%88.0%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaFord EcosportHyundai Kona
Lights & electrics12.83.2
Tyres5.75.8
Brakes6.52.4
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.43.9
Emissions & leaks2.60.4
Suspension1.50.6
Body & chassis1.70.2
Steering1.10.1

Ford Ecosport: top failures

  1. Stop lamp: not working5.0%
  2. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.9%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.6%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.9%
  6. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases0.9%

Hyundai Kona: top failures

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.1%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.9%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
  4. Headlamp aim: too high1.3%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.0%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.8%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Ford Ecosport or the Hyundai Kona?

The Hyundai Kona does better at the MOT, with a score of 101 against 96 for the Ford Ecosport, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Ford Ecosport and Hyundai Kona can be compared?

Both were tested for 5 registration years (2017–2021). The Ford Ecosport had the higher pass rate in 0 of them and the Hyundai Kona in 5.

What fails most on each?

Ford Ecosport: stop lamp: not working; headlamp: not working on dipped beam. Hyundai Kona: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords.