Used car guide · 1995–2009

Hyundai Accent common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Hyundai Accent, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 4,895 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1996 Hyundai Accent

Too few Hyundai Accent cars first registered in 1996 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Hyundai Accent as a whole.

69on the UK register at the end of 2025
Petrolmost common fuel (also diesel)
What to check on a 1996 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995

What usually goes wrong with a Hyundai Accent?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Hyundai Accent in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Hyundai Accent MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 4.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2004 and 2005.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2004 and 2005.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints

    up to 3.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002 and 2005.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006 and 2007.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Number plates

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002 and 2006.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Hyundai Accent MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2007 Hyundai Accent did best (57% passed first time, 0 points above all 2007 cars) and the 2006 did worst (55%, 1 point below all 2006 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
200857%57% +0325 (small sample)
200757%57% +0636
200655%56% -1639
200556%57% -1766
200452%57% -5507
200356%57% -1349 (small sample)
200256%58% -2701
200152%60% -8368 (small sample)
200054%61% -7286 (small sample)
199953%63% -10177 (small sample)
199853%65% -12141 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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 suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 4.5× as often on the 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 Hyundai Accent as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the Hyundai Accent as on other cars the same age.)
  4. 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score