2000 Hyundai Accent: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2000 Hyundai Accent?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2000 Hyundai Accent than on all cars registered in 2000.

• Rigid brake pipes1.8× usual
  Hyundai Accent

  31.1% All 2000 cars

  17.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.6% of all 2000 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints3.2× usual
  Hyundai Accent

  17.5% All 2000 cars

  5.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 2.5% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Sub-frame3.8× usual
  Hyundai Accent

  13.6% All 2000 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.2% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Common 2000 Hyundai Accent MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2000 Hyundai Accent MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  49% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  38% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  36% 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
  28% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  21% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  21% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2000 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 1.8× as often on the 2000 Hyundai Accent as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2000 Hyundai Accent as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the 2000 Hyundai Accent as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?