2004 Hyundai Getz — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 21,645 MOT tests, the 2004 Hyundai Getz recorded a 69.5% pass rate. That is 1.3 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 29.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.5%) and suspension (15.2%) 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 stop lamp — joints alone was recorded 2,112 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 41.8% once past 150k — 2.4× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 33.6% 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 | 16.5% | 3,580 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.2% | 3,299 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.0% | 2,805 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.7% | 1,881 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.6% | 1,656 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.6% | 1,644 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 2,112 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,330 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 1,299 |
| 4 | Wipers | 1,248 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 1,184 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 1,177 |
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 | 33.6% | 7,279 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.3% | 6,569 |
| 3 | Suspension | 29.6% | 6,409 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.7% | 5,121 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.4% | 4,199 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.4% | 3,335 |
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 | 927 | 17.6% |
| 30-60k | 6,102 | 25.7% |
| 60-90k | 8,551 | 31.8% |
| 90-120k | 4,588 | 35.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,185 | 36.1% |
| 150k+ | 213 | 41.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 21,355 | 30.5% |
| Diesel | 290 | 30.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,153 | 30.4% |
| 2022 | 5,042 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 4,264 | 30.6% |
| 2024 | 3,452 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 2,734 | 30.5% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Getz
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.2% 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 (13.0% 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 Getzs pass their MOT?
69.5% of the 21,645 2004 Hyundai Getz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Hyundai Getz?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.5% of tests, followed by suspension (15.2%).
Does the 2004 Getz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.6% in the 0-30k band to 41.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 21,645 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.