Used car guide

1998 Hyundai Accent: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Hyundai Accent first registered in 1998: we looked at the 141 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 141 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

141MOTs of 1998 cars, done in 2023–2025
53%pass first time (all 1998 cars: 65%)
2,800typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1998 Hyundai Accent?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1998 Hyundai Accent than on all cars registered in 1998.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.3× usual
    Hyundai Accent
    35.5% All 1998 cars
    15.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2.2% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Tread depth2.2× usual
    Hyundai Accent
    24.1% All 1998 cars
    11.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.3% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

Common 1998 Hyundai Accent MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1998 Hyundai Accent MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    52% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    43% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    38% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    26% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Rust and bodywork
    18% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1998 Hyundai Accent

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 1998 Hyundai Accent as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the tread depth? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 1998 Hyundai Accent as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Hyundai Accent?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Hyundai Accent compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009–Too few tests
2008325Brakes 47%
2007636Brakes 51%
2006639Suspension 46%
2005766Brakes 46%
2004507Suspension 52%
2003349Brakes 48%
2002701Brakes 50%
2001368Brakes 53%
2000286Brakes 49%
1999177Brakes 51%
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Hyundai Accent cars first registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score