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Hyundai Accent reliability

D · Below average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 24,212 MOT tests of cars first registered 1999–2008.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
52.4%pass first time
−6.6 ptsvs typical car
Beats 24%of cars
24,212MOT tests

Verdict

The Hyundai Accent passes its MOT first time on 52.4% of tests, 6.6 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (59.0%). That puts it ahead of 24% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2008 Accent does best (beats 48% of cars) and the 1999 worst (beats 10%).

Of its engines, the 1.4 Petrol does best (beats 40%) and the 1.3 Petrol worst (beats 18%).

Watch these weak spots

Brakes1.5×as often as a typical car
Body & structure1.6×as often as a typical car
Brake pipes2.3×as often as a typical car
Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

45%50%55%60%65%12131415161718192056%55%54%52%52%52%51%48%52%
Hyundai AccentTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1999
Beats 10%
2000
Beats 10%
2001
Beats 12%
2002
Beats 20%
2003
Beats 25%
2004
Beats 23%
2005
Beats 27%
2006
Beats 36%
2007
Beats 40%
2008
Beats 48%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol1999–200513,37950.3%Beats 18%E
1.4 Petrol2006–20086,01057.8%Beats 40%C
1.6 Petrol2003–20053,43252.2%Beats 26%D
1.5 Petrol2002–20021,39149.5%Beats 20%E

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 7.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 14.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 14.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 22.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 8.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 17.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 22.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−3.8 ptsTyres: 8.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.6 ptsBrakes: 17.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−6.1 ptsSuspension: 14.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 14.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+0.3 ptsExhaust: 7.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−1.2 ptsSuspension: 14.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 14.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 17.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 8.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 22.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 7.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 22.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−3.8 ptsTyres: 8.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.6 ptsBrakes: 17.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−6.1 ptsSuspension: 14.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 14.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+0.3 ptsExhaust: 7.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−1.2 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Brakes: 17.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
22.7% vs 18.9%
Brakes
17.8% vs 11.7%
Suspension
14.3% vs 14.7%
Body & structure
11.1% vs 7.1%
Visibility
9.5% vs 7.5%
Tyres
8.2% vs 6.6%
Emissions & leaks
7.0% vs 5.8%
Steering
2.7% vs 3.1%
Seat belts & airbags
2.2% vs 2.5%
Wheels
0.1% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Brake lights 1.6× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Brake performance 1.8× typical
    On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal.
  • Handbrake performance 1.5× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Engine warning light 1.5× typical
    The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

40%50%60%70%80%20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k73%65%60%58%52%48%45%45%43%
Hyundai AccentTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Brake lights6.5%3.9%1.6×
Sidelights6.3%4.1%1.5×
Drive shaft (CV) joints5.5%2.5%2.2×
Headlight aim5.4%4.9%1.1×
Brake pipes5.4%2.4%2.3×
Windscreen wipers4.9%3.6%1.4×
Tyre damage & cracking4.0%3.4%1.2×
Windscreen washers3.6%3.0%1.2×
Brake performance3.5%2.0%1.8×
Handbrake performance3.5%2.3%1.5×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning58.5
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc56.9
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements54.1
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn50.6
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen48.2
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded44.0
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning43.3
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen35.8
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2008 Hyundai Accent1 engine61.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol1,22161.1%Beats 48%C
2007 Hyundai Accent1 engine58.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol2,57458.1%Beats 40%C
2006 Hyundai Accent1 engine55.8% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol2,21555.8%Beats 36%D
2005 Hyundai Accent2 engines53.6% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol3,10153.3%Beats 26%D
1.6 Petrol1,16054.5%Beats 30%D
2004 Hyundai Accent2 engines50.2% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol1,92549.9%Beats 22%D
1.6 Petrol1,18750.6%Beats 23%D
2003 Hyundai Accent2 engines50.7% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol1,17350.0%Beats 24%D
1.6 Petrol1,08551.4%Beats 26%D
2002 Hyundai Accent2 engines49.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol2,93550.1%Beats 20%D
1.5 Petrol1,39149.5%Beats 20%E
2001 Hyundai Accent1 engine48.3% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol1,86348.3%Beats 12%E
2000 Hyundai Accent1 engine48.5% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol1,27848.5%Beats 10%E
1999 Hyundai Accent1 engine49.3% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Petrol1,10449.3%Beats 10%E

FAQ

What is the Hyundai Accent MOT pass rate?

52.4% of MOT tests on the Hyundai Accent were passed first time, based on 24,212 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1999–2008. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 59.0% of the time.

Is the Hyundai Accent reliable?

On MOT results it rates D (below average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 24% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Hyundai Accent year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2008 Accent does best for its age and mileage: it beats 48% of cars on UK roads. The 1999 does worst: it beats 10%.

Which Hyundai Accent engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.4 Petrol does best: it beats 40% of cars on UK roads. The 1.3 Petrol does worst: it beats 18%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Hyundai Accent?

The most common failure items are brake lights, sidelights, drive shaft (CV) joints. Compared with similar cars, brake pipes comes up 2.3× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.