These instructions apply to the Hyundai i20 Mk1 (PB) 2009-2014.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
The first-generation Hyundai i20 (PB body, 2008–2014) is fitted with a standard 16-pin OBD-II diagnostic socket, so any generic code reader or scan tool will connect to it. The port is the plug-in link to the car’s engine management and other control modules, and on this i20 it sits low on the driver’s side of the dash near the fuse area. Unlike many cars it is tucked behind a small cover here, but that panel lifts away by hand, so no tools are needed to get to the connector.
OBD-II Port Location
On the PB i20 the diagnostic socket is under the steering column on the driver’s side, low down by the fuse box. On a left-hand-drive car this is on the left of the cabin; on a right-hand-drive car it is in the mirror-image spot on the right. Here the connector sits behind the small plastic cover that also hides the fuse panel at the end of the dash. Unclip or pull that cover away and the 16-pin socket is inside, next to or just below the fuses. Because it lives behind this trim rather than hanging openly under the dash, first-time users often miss it — look for the removable panel at the lower outboard edge of the dash by the driver’s knee.
Before You Plug In
- Park on level ground, apply the handbrake and switch the ignition off before you start.
- Slide the driver’s seat back to give yourself room in the footwell.
- Have a torch ready so you can see inside the fuse-panel recess once the cover is off.
- Note how the plastic cover clips on before you remove it, so it goes back cleanly afterwards.
How to Access the Connector
- Look at the lower outboard end of the dash on the driver’s side, below the steering column, for the removable plastic cover.
- Grip the edge of that cover and unclip it by hand to expose the fuse panel and the connector beside it.
- Identify the 16-pin OBD-II socket; its wider-at-the-top shape means the plug fits only one way.
- Push your reader’s plug straight in until it clicks and seats fully, then refit the cover when you are finished.
Tips for Safe Use
- Connect and disconnect with the ignition off to avoid spikes on the data bus.
- Switch the ignition to “on” (engine off) to read stored codes; start the engine only when the tool needs live data.
- Refit the fuse-panel cover after use so the connector and fuses stay protected from dust and knocks.
- Remove any plug-in dongle after use — leaving one in the socket can slowly drain the battery through pin 16.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the OBD-II port on a 2008–2014 Hyundai i20?
It is under the steering column on the driver’s side, behind the small plastic cover that also hides the fuse panel at the lower end of the dash. Unclip that cover by hand and the 16-pin socket is inside.
Do I need tools to reach the connector?
No. The cover over the fuse panel unclips by hand, and the socket then plugs in directly. No screwdriver or panel removal beyond lifting that one cover is required.
Will a standard OBD-II reader work on this i20?
Yes. Every PB-generation i20 uses the standard 16-pin OBD-II connector, so any generic code reader or app dongle that supports the usual protocols will communicate with it.
Why can’t I see the port under the dash on my i20?
Because on this car it is hidden behind the fuse-panel cover rather than hanging in the open. If you look under the column and see only smooth trim, feel along the lower edge for the removable panel — the socket is behind it.
Once you have a code from the port, you can find out what it means and how to fix it — look it up on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Hyundai. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.