2002 Hyundai Accent — MOT failures & pass rate
2,104 MOT tests on the 2002 Hyundai Accent are in this dataset, and 69.7% of them passed. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (29.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.9%) and brakes (15.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, joints and rbt (sp) — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 176 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 16.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 29.0% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 39.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.6% in 2021 to 28.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 334 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.3% | 321 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.2% | 256 |
| 4 | Suspension | 10.3% | 217 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.4% | 156 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 102 |
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 | 176 |
| 2 | Joints | 173 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 133 |
| 4 | Wipers | 118 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 115 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 110 |
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 | 39.7% | 836 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.9% | 692 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.1% | 592 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 24.5% | 516 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.0% | 420 |
| 6 | Other defects | 18.1% | 381 |
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 | 100 | 16.0% |
| 30-60k | 693 | 26.4% |
| 60-90k | 775 | 31.4% |
| 90-120k | 361 | 37.1% |
| 120-150k | 142 | 35.9% |
| 150k+ | 31 | 29.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,050 | 30.1% |
| Diesel | 54 | 35.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 675 | 32.6% |
| 2022 | 504 | 31.1% |
| 2023 | 378 | 26.7% |
| 2024 | 307 | 29.3% |
| 2025 | 240 | 28.7% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Accent
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.3% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.2% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2002 Hyundai Accents pass their MOT?
69.7% of the 2,104 2002 Hyundai Accent MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Hyundai Accent?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by brakes (15.3%).
Does the 2002 Accent get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.0% in the 0-30k band to 29.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,104 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.