Used car guide

2002 Hyundai Accent: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Hyundai Accents, from 189 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 189 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

189MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
3,100typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Hyundai Accents than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.9× usual
    Hyundai Accent
    20.1% All 2002 cars
    6.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.1%, against 3% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

By area

The share of 2002 Hyundai Accent MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    49% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    45% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    38% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    37% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    25% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    20% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2007185Brakes 50%
2006175Suspension 46%
2005198Brakes 51%
2004131Suspension 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Hyundai Accents registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score