1997 Hyundai Accent — MOT failures & pass rate
288 MOT tests on the 1997 Hyundai Accent are in this dataset, and 71.9% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 29.1% of the time, so this is 1.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (14.9%) and visibility (12.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, service brake imbalance and washers — wipers alone was recorded 31 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 24.2% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 30.0% once past 90-120k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 35.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 34.9% in 2024, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.9% | 43 |
| 2 | Visibility | 12.2% | 35 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.1% | 32 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.4% | 30 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.9% | 14 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.2% | 12 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 31 |
| 2 | Service brake imbalance | 22 |
| 3 | Washers | 20 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 18 |
| 5 | Joints | 18 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 15 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 35.4% | 102 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.8% | 83 |
| 3 | Other defects | 21.2% | 61 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.2% | 61 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 20.1% | 58 |
| 6 | Tyres | 18.8% | 54 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 66 | 24.2% |
| 60-90k | 137 | 29.2% |
| 90-120k | 60 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 102 | 27.5% |
| 2022 | 67 | 23.9% |
| 2023 | 52 | 32.7% |
| 2024 | 43 | 34.9% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Accent
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 14.9% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (14.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Visibility (12.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Brakes (11.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1997 Hyundai Accents pass their MOT?
71.9% of the 288 1997 Hyundai Accent MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Hyundai Accent?
Suspension, recorded in 14.9% of tests, followed by visibility (12.2%).
Does the 1997 Accent get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.2% in the 30-60k band to 30.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 288 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.