Used car guide

2009 Hyundai Coupe: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Hyundai Coupe first registered in 2009: we looked at the 3,276 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,276MOTs of 2009 cars, done in 2023–2025
53%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 59%)
5,800typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Hyundai Coupe?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Hyundai Coupe than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.4× usual
    Hyundai Coupe
    17.2% All 2009 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.2% of all 2009 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.

  • Steering rack10.7× usual
    Hyundai Coupe
    9.6% All 2009 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 0.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Exhaust system2× usual
    Hyundai Coupe
    15.7% All 2009 cars
    7.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 2.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Headlights2.1× usual
    Hyundai Coupe
    14.4% All 2009 cars
    7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 3.7% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Better than most

Coil springs: 5.2% here, against 11.4% of all 2009 cars. Brake lights: 0.9% here, against 5.1% of all 2009 cars.

Common 2009 Hyundai Coupe MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Hyundai Coupe MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    50% 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
    44% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    31% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    17% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% 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 2009 Hyundai Coupe

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 2.4× as often on the 2009 Hyundai Coupe as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the steering rack? (Flagged at MOT 10.7× as often on the 2009 Hyundai Coupe as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2009 Hyundai Coupe as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Hyundai Coupe?

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 Coupe compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20083,143Brakes 50%
20074,233Brakes 52%
20062,786Brakes 50%
20051,729Brakes 47%
20041,076Brakes 55%
2003661Brakes 53%
2002343Brakes 56%
2001320Brakes 44%
2000212Brakes 47%
1999122Brakes 39%
1998134Brakes 46%
1997–Too few tests
1996–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 Coupe cars first registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score