2007 Hyundai Sonata diesel: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the diesel Hyundai Sonata first registered in 2007 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 202 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 202 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2007 Hyundai Sonata diesel?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2007 Hyundai Sonata diesel than on all cars registered in 2007.
- Braking performance2.7× usualHyundai Sonata18.3% All 2007 cars6.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 2.7% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Common 2007 Hyundai Sonata diesel MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2007 Hyundai Sonata diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Brakes46% 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.
- Suspension40% 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 electrics37% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres34% 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 leaks17% 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 mirrors8% 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 2007 Hyundai Sonata diesel
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2007 Hyundai Sonata diesel as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Hyundai Sonata?
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 Sonata compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | – | Too few tests |
| 2009 | 156 | Lights and electrics 37% |
| 2008 | 112 | Brakes 47% |
| 2006 | 325 | Suspension 46% |
| 2005 | 263 | Brakes 43% |
| 2004 | 107 | Suspension 47% |
| 2003 | – | Too few tests |
| 2002 | – | Too few tests |
| 2001 | – | Too few tests |
| 2000 | – | Too few tests |
| 1999 | – | Too few tests |
| 1998 | – | 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 Sonata cars first registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score