Used car guide

2008 Hyundai Coupe: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Hyundai Coupes, from 891 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

891MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,400typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Hyundai Coupes than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Exhaust system2.2× usual
    Hyundai Coupe
    19.5% All 2008 cars
    9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 2.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Steering rack8.5× usual
    Hyundai Coupe
    9.3% All 2008 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 0.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Headlights1.8× usual
    Hyundai Coupe
    18.9% All 2008 cars
    10.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.5%, against 4.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints4.8× usual
    Hyundai Coupe
    4.8% All 2008 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Better than most

Ball joint: 3% here, against 6.5% of all 2008 cars. Brake lights: 2.4% here, against 5.8% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Hyundai Coupe MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    45% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    34% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    21% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Hyundai Coupe?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009954Brakes 53%
20071,136Brakes 50%
2006744Brakes 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Hyundai Coupes registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score