Hyundai Getz
Compact three-pot diesel with common-rail. Sips fuel, but runs rough and runs out of breath quickly.
Light and chuckable
The Getz is light enough to feel nimble around town and on back roads — not fast, just chuckable.
Engine Weaknesses 5
Older 1.5 CRDi (D3EA/D4FA predecessor) with timing belt drive. On these aged vehicles always check belt service history. Interference engine — severe engine damage if belt breaks.
Symptoms: Squealing, rattling; then sudden engine seizure with severe valve damage.
D3EA forum reports indicate injection problems due to low high-pressure pump output or defective injectors. Fuel rail pressure drops below 300 bar prevent correct engine starting.
Symptoms: Difficult cold start; rough running; power loss; possible stalling under load.
The small three-cylinder diesel D3EA shows boost pressure loss from turbocharger wear at higher mileages. Diagnosis: boost pressure below 200 kPa at full load is a sign of turbo damage.
Symptoms: Noticeable power loss; black smoke; no boost pressure build-up; turbo whistle absent.
The EGR valve on the D3EA three-cylinder diesel is prone to soot fouling and blockage. Hyundai forums report throttle response restrictions and limp mode as a result.
Symptoms: Engine enters limp mode; poor throttle response; check engine light; increased fuel consumption.
Reports from Hyundai Club EU: A defective camshaft or crankshaft sensor causes intermittent start failures on the D3EA. Diagnosis by OBD scanner is clear-cut.
Symptoms: Intermittent no-start; starter cranks but engine won't fire; no fault code visible under normal conditions.
Vehicle Weaknesses 12
Older Getz TB models tend to water ingress in the footwell from deteriorated door rubber seals. Before purchase, lift the floor mats and check for dampness.
On the Hyundai Getz TB, rust typically forms at the rear wheel arches from 6–8 years of age. The middle and lower sections of the wheel arch panels are particularly susceptible. Early treatment prevents costly panel work.
On the Getz TB, front brake discs tend to warp — braking from higher speeds causes pedal pulsation and uneven braking. Hyundai acknowledged this as a teething problem of the first Getz generation.
On the Getz TB, front wheel bearings wear in short intervals. Bearing failures recurring after 60,000–80,000 km are known. The humming changes sides with cornering.
Rear wheel arches and door bottom edges rust through. Floor pan starts to rust after 10–12 years; sills sometimes massively affected. Brake hoses externally susceptible too. Cheap examples are barely economically viable to restore.
According to MOT reports, the Getz chassis shows many defects: anti-roll bar links, track rod ends, and wheel bearings wear on older examples.
The exhaust system on the Getz TB, particularly the pipe elbow at the silencer, is known for early rust-through from material fatigue and vibration fractures.
Some Getz owners report sporadically incorrect speedometer readings or failed central locking from corroded connectors.
On the Getz TB with rear drum brakes, typical drum brake issues occur: seized brake shoes, increased wear, and weakening handbrake effect. Drum components corrode more during standing than discs.
MOT inspections regularly flag track rod ends, anti-roll bar links, and wheel bearings. The Getz chassis is listed in MOT reports with above-average numbers of defects.
Instrument cluster fails partially or completely; central locking regularly fails. Water accumulation in the footwell from defective door seals can damage control units.
Air conditioning cools weakly on older examples. Refrigerant loss from porous hoses or faulty compressor. On base models without air conditioning, issues with sweating windows occur.