Second Hand Hyundai i30 Cylinder Head

Both years fall within the second-generation i30 (Mk2, 2012–2017), so they share the same basic platform, but the Mk2 received a facelift in 2015 and ancillary details can vary across that run. The engine code is the critical thing to match — check your V5 or run a VIN check and give that code to the breaker. Confirm with the breaker against your registration whether the specific head from a 2014 car crosses cleanly to a 2012 build before buying.

The first-generation i30 ran from 2007 to 2012 and the second generation from 2012 to 2017, and these are distinct platforms with different engine families, so a straight swap across that boundary is unlikely. Engine codes changed between generations, and matching the code exactly is more reliable than matching the model year. Always confirm with the breaker against your registration before purchasing.

No — trim level does not affect cylinder head fitment on the i30; Classic, Active, Style, and N Line are badge and equipment differences, not mechanical ones. What matters is the engine code, fuel type (petrol or diesel), and the year range of the generation. Bear in mind a cylinder head pulled from a different trim car may arrive with slightly different ancillary brackets or sensors attached, so flag that to the breaker so they can advise.

No — petrol and diesel cylinder heads are entirely different components and are not interchangeable under any circumstances. Always confirm your fuel type alongside the engine code when contacting a breaker. This is one of the most important details to get right when sourcing a used head.

The engine code matters above everything else for a cylinder head — Hyundai offered multiple petrol and diesel engines across the i30 range in any given year, and each has its own head design. Your engine code is stamped on the engine block and is also listed on your V5 logbook or available via a VIN check. Give the breaker your full engine code and registration together and they will be able to cross-reference the correct part.

The Mk2 i30 ran from 2012 to 2017 with a facelift in 2015, so a 2016 unit is post-facelift and a 2013 unit is pre-facelift — both within the same generation, but with potential differences in ancillary mounting points or sensor configurations that emerged at that update. If the engine codes match exactly, the core head may well be compatible, but you should confirm with the breaker against your registration whether any mid-production changes affect the specific part before committing.