Used car guide

2009 Hyundai Sonata petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Hyundai Sonata first registered in 2009 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 119 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 119 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

119MOTs of 2009 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
59%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 59%)
5,000typical miles a year
39%had lights and electrics flagged

Common 2009 Hyundai Sonata petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    34% 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
    33% 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
    27% 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
    7% 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
    5% 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 Sonata petrol

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Hyundai Sonata?

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Other years

Every year of the Hyundai Sonata compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2010–Too few tests
2008112Brakes 47%
2007285Brakes 44%
2006325Suspension 46%
2005263Brakes 43%
2004107Suspension 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 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score