Used car guide

2008 Hyundai Getz: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Hyundai Getzs, from 3,507 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,507MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
4,400typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

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

  • Rigid brake pipes2.1× usual
    Hyundai Getz
    19.9% All 2008 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.5% of all 2008 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.

  • Link ball joint covers2.6× usual
    Hyundai Getz
    9.1% All 2008 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1.9% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Brake lights1.8× usual
    Hyundai Getz
    10.5% All 2008 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.4%, against 4.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Wipers2.1× usual
    Hyundai Getz
    7.8% All 2008 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes2.6× usual
    Hyundai Getz
    2.3% All 2008 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

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

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 5.6% here, against 11.3% of all 2008 cars. Track rod ends: 2% here, against 5.5% of all 2008 cars.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    46% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    38% 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
    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.

  • Brakes
    34% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    13% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    12% 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.

Looking at a Hyundai Getz?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20073,877Suspension 45%
20063,132Suspension 47%
20052,506Suspension 48%
20042,076Suspension 46%
20031,041Brakes 47%

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