2008 Hyundai Coupe — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Hyundai Coupe passed 69.8% of its 7,837 recorded MOT tests. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 20.9% of the time, so this is 9.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and steering.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: brakes, recorded in 17.8% of tests against 14.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), steering rack and position lamp — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 886 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.5% in the 0-30k band and 32.5% in the 150k+ band, a 18.1-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 38.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 17.8% | 1,396 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 1,135 |
| 3 | Steering | 8.3% | 649 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.2% | 640 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.0% | 545 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.0% | 468 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 886 |
| 2 | Steering rack | 484 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 440 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 420 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 359 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 359 |
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 | 38.5% | 3,013 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.7% | 2,483 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.0% | 2,115 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 1,470 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.8% | 1,159 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.1% | 948 |
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 | 166 | 14.5% |
| 30-60k | 1,183 | 23.6% |
| 60-90k | 3,003 | 30.5% |
| 90-120k | 2,416 | 32.5% |
| 120-150k | 859 | 33.8% |
| 150k+ | 206 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,936 | 29.6% |
| 2022 | 1,715 | 28.7% |
| 2023 | 1,597 | 30.1% |
| 2024 | 1,427 | 32.4% |
| 2025 | 1,162 | 30.7% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Coupe
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 17.8% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (17.8% 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 (14.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (8.3% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£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 2008 Hyundai Coupes pass their MOT?
69.8% of the 7,837 2008 Hyundai Coupe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Hyundai Coupe?
Brakes, recorded in 17.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.5%).
Does the 2008 Coupe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.5% in the 0-30k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,837 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.