2004 Hyundai Accent — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,515 MOT tests, the 2004 Hyundai Accent recorded a 70.9% pass rate. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (29.2% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.6% of tests against 12.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rigid brake pipes and joints — headlamp aim alone was recorded 133 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 34.4% versus 18.0%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 40.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 32.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.6% | 266 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.9% | 195 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.2% | 185 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.4% | 142 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.3% | 110 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.3% | 95 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 133 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 111 |
| 3 | Joints | 109 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 96 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 91 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 90 |
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 | 40.7% | 616 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.7% | 586 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.0% | 409 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.9% | 331 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 20.1% | 304 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.5% | 204 |
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 | 61 | 18.0% |
| 30-60k | 398 | 20.8% |
| 60-90k | 687 | 31.6% |
| 90-120k | 244 | 35.7% |
| 120-150k | 96 | 34.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,473 | 29.1% |
| Diesel | 42 | 30.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 468 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 355 | 27.6% |
| 2023 | 280 | 27.5% |
| 2024 | 231 | 33.8% |
| 2025 | 181 | 32.0% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Accent
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.9% 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.
- 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 2004 Hyundai Accents pass their MOT?
70.9% of the 1,515 2004 Hyundai Accent MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Hyundai Accent?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.6% of tests, followed by suspension (12.9%).
Does the 2004 Accent get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.0% in the 0-30k band to 34.4% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,515 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.