2008 Hyundai Sonata — MOT failures & pass rate
314 MOT tests on the 2008 Hyundai Sonata are in this dataset, and 71.0% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 26.1% of the time, so this is 2.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.8%) and brakes (17.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, headlamp and brake pads — service brake performance alone was recorded 26 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 36.4% versus 22.9%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 45.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 37.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 59 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.5% | 55 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.2% | 29 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.6% | 27 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.0% | 19 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.7% | 18 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 26 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 22 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 22 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 21 |
| 5 | Wipers | 18 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 17 |
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 | 45.2% | 142 |
| 2 | Tyres | 32.2% | 101 |
| 3 | Suspension | 29.6% | 93 |
| 4 | Other defects | 18.1% | 57 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 38 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.5% | 36 |
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 | 61 | 22.9% |
| 60-90k | 97 | 28.9% |
| 90-120k | 82 | 31.7% |
| 120-150k | 33 | 24.2% |
| 150k+ | 33 | 36.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 205 | 31.7% |
| Petrol | 109 | 23.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 87 | 23.0% |
| 2022 | 74 | 32.4% |
| 2023 | 59 | 25.4% |
| 2024 | 57 | 31.6% |
| 2025 | 37 | 37.8% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Sonata
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (17.5% 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 (9.2% 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.
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 Sonatas pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 314 2008 Hyundai Sonata MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Hyundai Sonata?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.8% of tests, followed by brakes (17.5%).
Does the 2008 Sonata get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.9% in the 30-60k band to 36.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 314 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.