2004 Hyundai Sonata — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 286 MOT tests, the 2004 Hyundai Sonata recorded a 76.6% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 4.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.7% of tests against 10.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 34 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 24.2% versus 14.5%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 39.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.6% in 2021 to 21.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 45 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.1% | 29 |
| 3 | Visibility | 9.1% | 26 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.4% | 24 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.7% | 22 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.6% | 19 |
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 | 34 |
| 2 | Wipers | 26 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 19 |
| 4 | Joints | 17 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 16 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 15 |
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 | 39.2% | 112 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.1% | 106 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.6% | 76 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 24.1% | 69 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.7% | 62 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.9% | 37 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 69 | 14.5% |
| 60-90k | 120 | 24.2% |
| 90-120k | 66 | 24.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 90 | 25.6% |
| 2022 | 64 | 17.2% |
| 2023 | 56 | 30.4% |
| 2024 | 43 | 20.9% |
| 2025 | 33 | 21.2% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Sonata
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.1% 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.
- Visibility (9.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 Sonatas pass their MOT?
76.6% of the 286 2004 Hyundai Sonata MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Hyundai Sonata?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.7% of tests, followed by suspension (10.1%).
Does the 2004 Sonata get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.5% in the 30-60k band to 24.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 286 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.