2003 Hyundai Getz — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 11,342 MOT tests, the 2003 Hyundai Getz recorded a 69.3% pass rate. Against superminis of a similar age (29.4% fail rate), the 2003 Getz comes out 1.3pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.9%) and suspension (15.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, headlamp aim and rigid brake pipes — joints alone was recorded 971 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.3% versus 15.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 42.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.9% | 2,036 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.1% | 1,712 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.3% | 1,400 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.8% | 998 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.6% | 974 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.6% | 858 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 971 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 892 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 860 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 831 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 670 |
| 6 | Wipers | 661 |
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 | 42.0% | 4,760 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.3% | 3,437 |
| 3 | Suspension | 27.7% | 3,137 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.0% | 2,610 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 22.4% | 2,541 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 20.0% | 2,263 |
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 | 453 | 15.4% |
| 30-60k | 3,105 | 26.4% |
| 60-90k | 4,478 | 31.6% |
| 90-120k | 2,490 | 34.9% |
| 120-150k | 686 | 38.2% |
| 150k+ | 127 | 32.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,292 | 31.3% |
| 2022 | 2,694 | 30.4% |
| 2023 | 2,197 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 1,772 | 30.4% |
| 2025 | 1,387 | 30.9% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Getz
On a 2003 Getz, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.1% 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 (12.3% 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 2003 Hyundai Getzs pass their MOT?
69.3% of the 11,342 2003 Hyundai Getz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Hyundai Getz?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.9% of tests, followed by suspension (15.1%).
Does the 2003 Getz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.4% in the 0-30k band to 32.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,342 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.