Used car guide

2003 Hyundai Getz: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Hyundai Getzs, from 1,041 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,041MOT tests in 2025

50%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)

3,300typical miles a year

2×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Hyundai Getzs than on all cars registered in 2003.

Rigid brake pipes2× usual

Hyundai Getz
36.4% All 2003 cars
18.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.7% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
Drive shaft (CV) joints3.5× usual

Hyundai Getz
23.1% All 2003 cars
6.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 10.9%, against 2.9% of all 2003 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.
Headlights1.9× usual

Hyundai Getz
23.2% All 2003 cars
12.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 4.4% of all 2003 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.
Exhaust system1.9× usual

Hyundai Getz
18.1% All 2003 cars
9.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 2.6% of all 2003 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.
Number plates1.8× usual

Hyundai Getz
13.9% All 2003 cars
7.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.7% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Better than most

Brake discs: 5.6% here, against 12.7% of all 2003 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 3.8% here, against 8.7% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Hyundai Getz MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Brakes

47% 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

46% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

24% 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

23% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Looking at a Hyundai Getz?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2008	3,507	Suspension 46%
2007	3,877	Suspension 45%
2006	3,132	Suspension 47%
2005	2,506	Suspension 48%
2004	2,076	Suspension 46%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Hyundai Getzs registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score