2001 Hyundai Accent — MOT failures & pass rate
1,128 MOT tests on the 2001 Hyundai Accent are in this dataset, and 67.4% of them passed. That is 3.2 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 29.5%. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (16.8%) and lighting & signalling (15.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, rbt (sp) and service brake performance — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 89 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 48.9% versus 20.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 41.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 16.8% | 190 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 175 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.6% | 131 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.3% | 116 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.6% | 108 |
| 6 | Visibility | 8.1% | 91 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 89 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 81 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 77 |
| 4 | Wipers | 73 |
| 5 | Joints | 66 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 64 |
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 | 41.5% | 468 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.9% | 326 |
| 3 | Suspension | 27.0% | 304 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 23.8% | 269 |
| 5 | Other defects | 20.9% | 236 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.5% | 231 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 68 | 20.6% |
| 30-60k | 437 | 26.8% |
| 60-90k | 378 | 34.7% |
| 90-120k | 178 | 43.3% |
| 120-150k | 45 | 48.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 360 | 33.1% |
| 2022 | 273 | 30.8% |
| 2023 | 214 | 33.2% |
| 2024 | 164 | 33.5% |
| 2025 | 117 | 33.3% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Accent
On a 2001 Accent, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (16.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (15.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.6% 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.
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 2001 Hyundai Accents pass their MOT?
67.4% of the 1,128 2001 Hyundai Accent MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Hyundai Accent?
Brakes, recorded in 16.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (15.5%).
Does the 2001 Accent get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.6% in the 0-30k band to 48.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,128 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.