2006 Hyundai Accent — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 Hyundai Accent passed 72.2% of its 1,681 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (28.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests against 12.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and service brake performance — position lamp alone was recorded 121 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 40.0% versus 9.5%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 36.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 305 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.8% | 216 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.8% | 199 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.9% | 116 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.7% | 95 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.0% | 67 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 121 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 109 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 105 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 99 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 98 |
| 6 | Wipers | 76 |
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 | 36.6% | 615 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.8% | 517 |
| 3 | Suspension | 30.3% | 509 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 23.7% | 399 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.3% | 258 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.7% | 180 |
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 | 42 | 9.5% |
| 30-60k | 368 | 21.5% |
| 60-90k | 663 | 27.5% |
| 90-120k | 431 | 33.0% |
| 120-150k | 142 | 32.4% |
| 150k+ | 35 | 40.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 454 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 391 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 336 | 25.6% |
| 2024 | 277 | 30.3% |
| 2025 | 223 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Accent
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.8% 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.
- Suspension (11.8% 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 2006 Hyundai Accents pass their MOT?
72.2% of the 1,681 2006 Hyundai Accent MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Hyundai Accent?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by brakes (12.8%).
Does the 2006 Accent get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.5% in the 0-30k band to 40.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,681 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.